It’s hard to argue with the joy of ice cream, especially from a family-owned shop. Some of us actually like Midlo Scoops. But this really isn’t about ice cream. It’s about rezoning a quiet residential space for commercial use. The impacts — late-night noise, bright lights, traffic — are real, especially for people who live right next to it. We just ask folks to consider: would this be okay in your backyard?

Supporting local businesses and protecting neighborhoods don’t have to be opposites. In fact, we believe Midlo Scoops would thrive even more in a space better suited to their popularity — one with ample parking, less congestion, and infrastructure built for it. This isn’t about being anti-growth; it’s about smart, respectful growth that doesn’t come at the cost of residents’ peace and safety.

To anyone on “the outside” of any issue, it’s easy to think “this is not that big of a deal,” and that’s a fair perspective.

But for people living across the street or next door to this busineess, the impact is more than just a minor inconvenience. Lights on late into the evening, cars coming and going, voices carrying — it adds up. We believe this kind of commercial use wasn’t what this street was zoned for. We just want to pause and think carefully before changing that for good.

That’s a fair question. In reality, zoning decisions affect us all. If this change is approved, it sets a precedent. What’s to stop more commercial creep into other residential areas in Midlothian? We’re standing up not just for one street, but for the idea that neighborhoods and their residents deserve protection.

We totally get why this might not feel like a big deal if it’s not in your immediate neighborhood. But imagine it was — would you feel the same if cars were idling outside your bedroom window at 9:30 p.m.? Would you want your street to change like this without your say? That’s really what we’re asking the city to consider — and why we’re encouraging neighbors to speak up.

We understand how it might look that way, but this group is made up of real residents, many of whom live just steps from the proposed expansion. We’re not anti-business. We’re simply asking that this kind of business growth happens in areas meant for it — not in the middle of a peaceful, historic neighborhood.

It’s true — the expansion might look small on paper. But zoning changes aren’t temporary. Once a property becomes commercial, it stays that way — even if the current owners move on. We’re asking the city to consider not just today’s use, but what this decision means long-term for our neighborhood.

We support progress, especially when it respects what makes Old Town special. Growth doesn’t mean we have to erase the charm and character that draws people here in the first place. We believe there’s room for thoughtful development and neighborhood preservation. It’s not either/or.

For folks passing through, it might not look like a big deal. But for neighbors who live here every day, the increase in traffic, parking overflow, and noise is noticeable. It’s especially concerning on narrow, residential streets not built for commercial volume. We’re simply asking: is this the right location for this level of activity?

We agree that providing jobs for teenagers is valuable — and we fully support businesses that invest in our youth. However, this isn’t about opposing the ice cream shop or its role in the community. Our concern is with changing zoning in a historic residential area, which could open the door to more commercial encroachment in Old Town.

Preserving affordable housing and the character of our neighborhood is also essential for the long-term health of our community. We believe there are other ways to support both local businesses and our teens — without sacrificing the integrity of our historic district.

Building a fence might seem like a simple fix, but the issue is much bigger than just privacy. It’s about protecting the zoning and character of a historic residential neighborhood. If we allow further expansion into a residential area, it sets a precedent that could lead to more businesses moving in — and that can’t be solved with a fence.

This is about long-term planning, preserving affordable housing, and making sure Old Town remains a livable, welcoming community for families and neighbors—not just commercial traffic.

We understand that some people may see a parking lot or a bit of extra noise as a small inconvenience, but for those of us who live here every day, it’s about more than that. It’s about preserving the integrity of a residential neighborhood that was never meant to accommodate commercial traffic, late-night noise, or overflow parking — in a town when there are other places better suited to this kind of business.

What seems small now can grow quickly. Rezoning opens the door for even more commercial development, and once the character of the neighborhood changes, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. We’re standing up now because we care about Old Town’s long-term future — not just today’s inconvenience.