Rural King plan good for Vandalia

Any time a new company comes to town, we're ready to celebrate and welcome them with open arms.

We ought to welcome growth by existing local firms with the same enthusiasm. After all, both types of growth bring valuable jobs and expanded opportunities to our community. 

This week, we have reason to celebrate. Rural King's plans to move into the former home of Orgill and significantly expand its business here was given approval by the Vandalia Planning Commission. The issue now goes before the Vandalia City Council for its approval.

Rural King officials told the Planning Commission that the move to the 450,000-square-foot facility at 1401 Veterans Ave. will allow the store to more than triple its  retail space and will allow more than enough room to store its inventory indoors.

Indeed, it's a win-win situation for the company and the customers. The only remaining hurdle is for the council to make a common-sense ruling on the parking spots required for such a facility. The current zoning ordinance requires 182 parking spots, while the facility plan will provide 132. What must be remembered is that three-fourths of the new facility will be used for warehousing; only 100,000 square feet will be retail space.

We trust that aldermen will make such a ruling.

db