Developers got a nod of approval Monday from the Oxford Planning Commission to rezone about 2 acres of land on Old Sardis Road that is slated to become the newest Dollar General in Oxford.

The future Dollar General is planned to sit on the corner of Anchorage Road and Old Sardis Road; however, the developer, Blackburn Holdings, LLC, needs to have the land rezoned from Multi-Unit Residential to Neighborhood Business prior to constructing the store.

Before zoning can be changed, the applicant must prove there was either a mistake in the original zoning, which there was not in this case, or that the character of the neighborhood has changed and there is a specific public need for the rezoning.

In the application for rezoning, David Blackburn with Blackburn Holdings, said that with the amount of existing development near the property and increased traffic along Old Sardis Road because of FNC Park, the site is ideal for commercial retail to provide residents and visitors an option to purchase goods without having to travel too far from the area.

“Currently, there are very limited opportunities for basic retail goods for area residents and for visitors to FNC Park,” Senior Planner Ben Requet told the commission. “The closest retail center in this area is located at the intersection of Highway 314 and McElroy Drive.”

Commissioner John Bradley made the motion to approve but added a requirement that the uses of “tavern” and “liquor store” be removed from approved Neighborhood Business uses.

“I have no problem with that at all,” Blackburn told the commission.

The zoning change was approved by the Planning Commission unanimously; however, it still needs to be approved by the Oxford Board of Aldermen. The zoning change will go before the board for three readings that will include a public hearing before being voted on.