After hearing many comments regarding the recent construction of a Dollar General store on S. Trade St. near the IGA, Tryon officials have decided to ask the public for help in creating standards for retail and commercial development in the town.

Tryon Town Council has scheduled a public hearing on commercial development guidelines for Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Tryon Fire Department, located at 56 W. Howard St. in Tryon.

Specifically, council members are interested in hearing ideas and suggestions related to areas in the towns central business and general business districts along Trade Street, U.S. Highway 176, and N.C. Highway 108.

Tryon Town Manager Justin Hembree said holding a public hearing is a follow-up to conversations and comments town officials have received recently about the Dollar General and other downtown development issues. The same topic has also been the subject of numerous letters to the editor.

The town has received and continues to receive numerous comments and suggestions concerning commercial development allowed by our current land use regulations, Hembree said in a memo to council. In order to directly address this issue, staff feels it may be beneficial for a public hearing concerning the topic to be held. This will allow the town to formally hear the public, answer questions and direct staff, if applicable, to take specific actions.

Hembree says receiving input and becoming a more business friendly town are specific goals of Tryons recently approved strategic plan.

The Dollar General was constructed a couple of months ago on part of the property occupied by the former Plenty of Fish restaurant (the old Sunnydales) on S. Trade Street.

Tryon officials have said that although many residents expressed concern regarding the looks of the store and its size, the store conforms to all Tryons current regulations. The planning board met with developers and requested some changes to the outdoor aesthetics of the building, which were adhered to by developers.

Other residents have commented that the store will bring jobs and revenue to the town.

Council said they will publicize the public hearing and will also place a survey on the towns website. The online survey will allow residents to leave comments and suggestions in case they are unable to attend the meeting or are not comfortable speaking in public.