The Regional Planning Agency staff is recommending denial for a large new grocery, fuel center and separate office/retail building at Walden.
The staff report said the large complex would be out of character with the small mountaintop community.
LOP LLC, represented by John Anderson, is seeking the rezoning for a 49,000-square-foot grocery, fuel center and 10,000-square-foot office/retail building.
The case goes before the Planning Commission on May 13.
The staff report says, "The request does not present an alternative that complies with the stated intent, goals, and general standards of the C-1 Zone as defined by the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed maximum footprint is not consistent with the adopted plans and principles for the area. The proposed maximum footprint is not compatible with the character of the area where and with the size and location of the buildings in the vicinity. The applicant has not provided sufficient information to demonstrate there are physical conditions of the property, such as steep slopes, that make compliance of the maximum footprint requirements impossible. The proposed larger building increases the rear portion of the property (containing the steeper slopes) that would need to be graded and cleared. Because the request does not meet any of the following criteria for the Special Permit, staff recommends to deny the request."
The staff also said, "The proposal is not compatible with the small scale commercial development form found along Taft Hwy. While the location of a commercial use at an intersection on Taft Hwy is consistent with suggestions from the Walden Plateau Area Plan, the size of the buildings and parking lot, lack of pedestrian connectivity, and lack of public spaces does not meet the identified characteristics of a preferred Town Center or Town Corridor type of development. Nor does expanding the C-1 Zone further into the rural and steeper areas meet the Plan recommendations. It will also set a precedent for future requests."
The mountain community has long been served by Pruett's at Signal Mountain.