(Please note, contributions made via this petition are supporting change.org not the No Dollar General effort. To directly support our legal costs please visit nodollargeneral.com)

We, the undersigned, hereby express our strong opposition to the decision by  the Wallowa County Planning Department to approve permits for the construction of a Dollar General store at 902 Highway 82, more commonly known as 70970 Frontage Road, in Wallowa. This decision poses a threat to our community's well-being and violates the principles outlined in the Wallowa County Land Use Development Ordinance.

We request the Wallowa County Commissioners instruct the Planning Department to:

• Immediately revoke the approval of the zone permit for the Dollar General retail store construction.
• Direct Dollar General and their contractors to pause all construction activities at 70970 Frontage Road, until a detailed review of the application is conducted properly and takes into consideration the potential for irreparable harm to the land, habitat, and community.

It is the responsibility of planning commissioners, planning staff, and elected officials to: protect the community health, safety and welfare; seek efficient use of the land and public facilities, consistent with community values; and encourage public participation. These standards have not been met and have created the following concerns:

Traffic and Access Concerns: The proposed development has the potential to significantly increase traffic and reduce safety, particularly to the private residences and small farms on Frontage Road. The narrow width and poor alignment with Frontage Road will create unsafe conditions at an intersection that includes a school bus stop and limited turning space for farm equipment.

Environmental Impact: The proximity of the development to Bear Creek poses the potential for adverse effects to the water quality and riparian habitat of the creek, which is designated critical habitat for Chinook salmon, steelhead & bull trout listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

Inadequate Consideration of Land Use Plan Goals & Procedures: The Planning Department failed to fully consider the impact on the community and accepted permit applications for a lot that doesn't meet zone size requirements. Additionally the application is incomplete, including missing structures, discrepancies in acreage of the property and incorrect zoning information. The failure to follow the required procedures has resulted in the siting of a national retail chain store on land zoned for residential use.

Lack of Public Involvement: The scope, scale, and location of the Dollar General application requires a Public Hearing Review, as specified in Wallowa County Land Use Ordinance. The failure to conduct such a review denies citizens the opportunity to participate in the planning process, as ensured in Wallowa County's Land Use Plan and to voice their concerns about the significant impact on neighboring landowners accessibility and value of their properties, the health and safety of citizens, and effects on natural resources and public services.

Given the potential for irreparable harm to the land, habitat, and community, the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners and Planning Department must immediately suspend all construction activity associated with the Dollar General development, pending the outcome of a Public Hearing Review. 

(Please note, contributions made via this petition are supporting change.org not the No Dollar General effort)