We encourage members of the Rice community in Prince Edward to keep an open mind about a proposed Dollar General store, slated for the intersection of Rice’s Depot Road and U.S. Route 460.

It was clear from the meeting hosted by Lockett District Supervisor Robert M. “Bobby” Jones on Monday at the Rice Fire Department that people in the community have concerns. However, Prince Edward County, its board of supervisors and its planning commission are still in the process of gathering information, and it is important that people have this information before they form fixed opinions about the proposal.

Jones showed his interest in working with the community, and people can obtain the facts they need by working with him, gathering information from the county and talking to the developer.

A planning commission public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 21, and we encourage the developer to be present to answer questions.

Community members should be encouraged by the fact that the property for the proposed store requires a special use permit for retail sales. With any special use permit comes the opportunity for planners and supervisors to add conditions making the project more compatible to the community. These rules can govern things like noise, lighting, parking, construction, traffic control and proffers, in which the developer pays for a needed spin-off of the project.

As information on the proposed store is gathered, patience and consideration should inform the process.