Families living in the city of Youngstown have not had easy, close access to the kinds of fresh, healthy foods available at big name grocery stores.

What there has not been a shortage of, though, are quick, processed foods that are available at dollar stores.  

Now, officials in Youngstown want to temporarily stop dollar stores from expanding in the city to attract larger grocery stores, encourage economic growth and healthier food choices.

Youngstown Director of Community Planning & Economic Development, Nikki Posterli told 21 News that while bargain stores are essential to areas that are considered food deserts within the city, having too many in one place is preventing larger grocery stores from moving in. 

There are roughly 22 dollar stores in Youngstown and many of them are located on the same street within walking distance of another.

Youngstown leaders say they are still in the early stages of this proposal. The dollar stores that are already open will not close, but the proposal will limit new ones for 12-months.

"We are trying to still establish and build up and support our small businesses, but we also want to attract the bog box stores and a lot of times this saturation prohibits them from even wanting to take a chance on Youngstown," Posterli said. 

The president of the Ohio Grocers Association, Kristin Mullins says when there is a cluster of dollar stores selling food it has a negative impact on traditional grocery stores because there is less foot traffic of those stores. 

"As a grocer is considering where to plant, they look around [to see what stores are] in the area, and if there is an oversaturation they may choose not to plant there" Mullins said. 

Members of the zoning committee will be holding public meetings in the coming weeks to gather feedback and data before making a final decision. Their next meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 10 a.m. inside the city hall building.