No moratorium on discount stores

WHITE SALMON — City council voted against implementing a six-month moratorium on small-box discount stores, or “dollar stores,” in the commercial district during its Sept. 3 meeting.

As previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, Mayor Marla Keethler pushed the temporary pause on applications forward after seeing significant public engagement over a proposed Center Market across from Rheingarten Park, which would be a separate and distinct use, if approved. The intent was to proactively shape code, via multiple rounds of hearings, before a company like Dollar General could pursue one of the city’s commercial properties, but councilors raised multiple issues with the approach and policy.

“My hope is that, if we pass this tonight, that we’re not giving something else up in staff time and community time,” said Councilor Ben Giant. “Opportunity cost is the term that comes to mind. Is that what’s most important?”

Likewise, Councilors Patty Fink and Doug Rainbolt emphasized that regulating small-box discount stores was not an objective that council identified. And while the moratorium wouldn’t prescribe a specific code outcome, Rainbolt further questioned whether it was worthwhile, despite the potential negative outcomes on other local businesses.

“We tend to think that people here can afford Harvest Market like we all can. Well, some can’t,” he said. “Are we really serving our residents by saying this avenue, this channel, is cut off?”

Councilor Morella Mora similarly said that few affordable options for food and other household goods exist locally. Workers at Mt. Adams Fruit and Skyline Hospital could use an option with more flexible hours, she continued, also expressing discomfort with using a tool typically reserved for emergencies.

Councilor David Lindley hearkened back to one of the last times the city instituted a moratorium: In 2020, when residents of a mobile home park were on the verge of eviction after the owner sought new development. Council used the pause to restrict site-built homes as an outright use in mobile home zones.

“I think that there is a very high bar for an emergency — it should be a last resort,” Lindley said. “Based on what’s been presented, it doesn’t meet that bar for me.”

A motion to establish the moratorium then failed in a 4-1 vote; Giant was the lone supporter. Dollar General, with a location already in Bingen, also confirmed that it does not currently have plans to add a store in White Salmon.

“We believe any such restrictive measure, if implemented, would harm consumer choice and limit free enterprise,” the company wrote in a statement. “Additionally, the measure would reduce customers’ nearby and affordable access to the household essentials and food we provide, forcing them to travel farther and/or spend more money to obtain these essentials.”

In other business, council updated fees for tree replacement and use of city-owned facilities; renamed “Hispanic Heritage Month” to “Latino/a/x Heritage Month,” which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15; and established disclosure requirements for members of White Salmon’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.