By Ray King
A proposed ordinance that would bar dollar stores from locating in Ward 1 for 180 days was recommended for approval by the Pine Bluff City Council’s Development and Planning Committee during a special called meeting Tuesday.
The proposed ordinance is sponsored by Council member LaTisha Brunson who explained its purpose during the meeting.
Brunson went on to say she wanted to put the ordinance in place first, then confer with other members of the council about applying the ordinance in the other wards of the city.
According to the ordinance, “a concentration of small box discount stores may negatively impact the plans of a conventional grocery store which offers a full complement of food choices to locate within a community.”
Since she took office, Brunson has worked to get a grocery store to locate in Ward 1 since the only full service grocery store, Super 1, closed more than a year ago.
Council members Lanette Frazier and Steven Mays both spoke in favor of the proposal, which will now go to the council at the Sept. 5 meeting.
