2025 Cascade Update
March Community Meeting
Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain
The Fort Ritchie Community Center welcomed Cascade residents eager to learn of the latest developments in what is now a three-year legal challenge to a proposed Dollar General Market directly across the street from Historic Fort Ritchie on McAfee Road.
Danielle Durning—who has been in the forefront of local resistance and fundraising since the beginning of the challenge in 2022—welcomed the meeting room filled with concerned residents and introduced attorney Michele Rosenfeld.
Attorney Rosenfeld summarized the series of Washington County Zoning Board and Court hearings, at which she has represented the Cascade community’s objection to the zoning exception sought by Outside Contractors (OC), based in Clear Springs, as the company sought to develop the McAfee Road site for yet another Dollar General Market (DGM). Ms. Rosenfeld summarized the key milestones.
In responding to audience questions, the participants learned that it is not known if the property has been sold to OC and it is fair to assume (based on the appeal) that OC is in this “for the long game.”
The meeting turned to a focus on how the community can effectively continue to fight the proposed Dollar General. Attorney Rosenfeld expressed her strong belief that Cascade’s position is vastly stronger than three years ago. Rapid new development at Fort Ritchie—compatible with the scale of development contemplated by the Rural Village zone—has considerably strengthened the important historic character of the community and is serving to strengthen the economy of Cascade and its adjacent communities. The consensus was that preservation of the character and future of Cascade is paramount.
Nearly half of the 1,200 residents of Cascade have been engaged in fighting this battle in one way or another, including fundraising participation, social media engagement, petition signatures, and showing up at zoning hearings.
The meeting attendees—virtually all of whom have been involved since 2022— decided that a community-wide effort is essential, including further outreach to residents—neighbor to neighbor. The participants agreed to develop a post-meeting plan, which will include informational flyers, outreach to appropriate elected officials throughout Washington County, and fundraising, all shortly to be in the works. The Facebook page (Stop Dollar General in Cascade) will continue to be the primary source of news, updates, fundraising, and calls to action.
The meeting ended with a resounding expression of appreciation to Attorney Rosenfeld for her expertise, her commitment to representing Cascade’s residents, and her availability for community meetings and responding to myriad individual questions. Stay tuned. There will be more to come as the Committee to Protect Our Mountain continues to protect the interests of our rural Cascade community. If you would like to donate to the efforts, visit https://square.link/u/no7PF5Ij.
