Conditional okay for revised Dollar Tree plan

By Grace Lovins

The designs for modifications to the storefront windows of the building at 33877 Woodward, the former site of a CVS, set to be the home of Birmingham’s first Dollar Tree store, were approved with conditions by the city’s design review board during the Wednesday, June 3, meeting.

The unanimous vote comes after the design review board had previously postponed the item during the May 6 meeting.

Planning director Nick Dupuis explained that Dollar Tree had made significant changes since the May 6 discussion, noting that a lot of work had been done to reduce the amount of windows that were blocked which had previously been a sticking point for the board.

Dupuis went on to explain that, while the applicant did address some of the board’s concerns, the proposal still violates the zoning ordinance because they are blocking some windows with things like shelving and the backs of walls. He said that the planning department’s recommendation would be to have Dollar Tree submit revised plans or obtain a variance through the zoning board of appeals.

The remaining problem areas included one window pane along Woodward where an office is proposed, one bay along the alley where an eight foot gondola remained in the plans, and a back-of-house area where there is a wall and vinyl left over from the former tenant, CVS.

Brian Easy of Northville-based M Architects, representing Dollar Tree in the midwest region, said they were seeking approval and “flexibility” from the board. Multiple board members, including board chair Keith Deyer, said they felt that the issues posed were self-induced hardships and the store had options to pursue that wouldn’t violate the ordinance.

In the end, board members voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve the design plans with the conditions that the plans are modified and resubmitted to meet the zoning ordinance or that the applicant heads to the board of zoning appeals for a variance, that the plans are reconfigured to switch the office space along Woodward to retail space, and that the city’s design review standards are met once the conditions are satisfied.

While Dollar Tree’s proposal to occupy the space on Woodward has stirred opposition, including an online petition with over 500 signatures, only one resident spoke during the public comments on the item.

The online petition, at change.org, basically challenges the location of the discount store which opponents say would not be a fit with the “community’s character and values.” The online petition also raises safety issues with an elementary school located nearby and makes unsubstantiated claims that crime increases when Dollar Tree stores are located in a community.