Several Washington Township residents raise concerns about possible shopping plaza

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

Several Washington Township residents voiced their concerns about the possibility of a dollar store comng to the village of Fairhope.
During Wednesday’s business meeting, Kelly and Ken Gilotty told supervisors Jan Amoroso, Scott Hileman and Chuck Yusko they’ve heard rumors that a Dollar General might be constructed across the street from the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department.
The couple owns Gilotty Construction and live across the street from the two parcels of land that are allegedly being considered by a private development company as the site of the new store.
The Gilottys said they fear a store being built in the area might lower the value of their home and would ruin the neighborhood’s “country” aesthetic.
“I bought my property almost 20 years ago and I bought it because of the neighborhood where it’s located,” Ken Gilotty said.
“We don’t want to live next to a large, commercialized business,” Kelly added.
Resident Marlene Koslasky, whose property abuts the parcels in question, said Greg Kuenning, senior vice president of acquisitions for Tennessee-based GBT Realty Corp., recently left a business card and note on her front door.
“I’m looking for some property to develop along Fayette Avenue (Route 201) and would like to know if you might have any interest in selling your property?” Kuenning wrote. “I’m also in discussions to purchase the lot next door.”
Koslasky said she called Kuenning back to see what he had to say.
“He told me they were considering building a shopping plaza,” she said after the meeting. “I told him I’m not selling and said goodbye.
“I don’t want to live next to a shopping plaza and neither do my neighbors. I wasn’t going to sell my neighbors out.”
Resident Kimberley Frantz said that portion of Route 201 is a busy road that sees a lot of traffic and congestion, which she said often causes the Washington Township VFD to have difficulty exiting their parking lot during emergency calls.
She fears building a store in the area would create more traffic and slow down first responder times.
The supervisors and zoning officer Bill Bergman said the only official communication the development company has had with the township was when a representative recently requested a copy of the township’s zoning ordinances in reference to where commercial properties can be built.
Bergman explained the area in question is located in a mixed use zoning area, which he said means a retail facility could be built as long as its specifications and construction fall within what is permitted by township zoning maps and ordinances.

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