By Mike Dunn

An outgoing member of Philadelphia City Council is defending her decision to back zoning changes that will allow a dollar store to be built in East Germantown.

East Germantown residents lined up to speak both for and against the proposed complex at Chelten and Pulaski avenues that would include a Dollar Tree store. Councilwoman Donna Miller, who is retiring at year’s end, is backing the plan.

But some residents, like Yvonne Haskins, accused Miller of making a back-room deal with the developer.

“Councilwoman Miller’s untrue statements and her clear intent to help this developer add one more dollar store to Germantown are an abuse of power,” said Haskins.

Miller denied any back-room deals and defended the project.

“It looks much better than the abandonment that was there for years and its (a) $14 million dollar (project). We haven’t had that kind of development in Germantown in the 16 years that I’ve been here (in Council).

Despite the opposition, council members sided with Miller, unanimously approving the measure and sending this hot potato to the mayor.