Lake Ranch Estates residents are fighting a proposal to the Hall County Board of Commissioners that would a put a Dollar General store at the front of their neighborhood.

Residents like J.W. Wyatt are arguing the placement of the store, off Dawsonville Highway and west of Sardis Road, would create a dangerous traffic hazard that could prove problematic for nearby residents.

The plan was conditionally approved by the Hall County Planning Commission earlier this month, despite protests from eight residents.

County commissioners were slated to decide on final approval on the morning of Dec. 8, but that decision will be postponed until an evening meeting in January, when more Lake Ranch residents can attend.

According to Hall County documents, the proposed Dollar General would sit at the intersection of Dawsonville Highway and Lake Ranch Drive, which is directed by a traffic light. The existing residential building on the lot would be torn down, with the commercial building taking its place.

The source of the controversy is where the entrances to the store will sit. Two driveways, one entrance and one exit, will go on Lake Ranch Drive instead of Dawsonville Highway.

Residents say the driveways are in a dangerous spot with limited visibility.

"The lines of sight are just not sufficient," Wyatt said. "You're looking at a blind hill going around a blind curve."

Lake Ranch Drive is the entrance road to 156 homes, Wyatt said. Those residents there could all be inconvenienced if the intersection yields traffic collisions.

"One accident would make it impossible for residents to get in and out for work," he said.

Brian Rochester, who presented the proposal at the planning commission meeting, said the entrances were approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation, according to minutes recorded at the meeting.

Residents are hoping that the postponement to January will give commissioners enough time to come and see the intersection they're concerned about.

"The main thing is we're trying to get the commissioners to physically come look at the situation," Wyatt told The Times.

At least one commissioner, Billy Powell, who represents that area of the county, is agreeing to look at the concerns. Powell told The Times on Friday that he will meet Monday with residents at the site of the proposed retail store.

"I need to see the site anyway to see what they're talking about in person," Powell said.

While the commissioner said he will withhold judgment on this particular plan until he understands the concerns, he anticipates some sort of business will be built there one day.

"It is on a four-lane state highway with a signaled intersection," he said. "It makes sense something will go there eventually."