Signal Mountain grocery store proposal withdrawn, expected to return

An 8.5-acre lot at 617 Cauthen Way, currently owned by The Keith Corporation, rests just behind Signal Crossing shopping center, also owned by TKC. (Staff photo by Myron Madden)
An 8.5-acre lot at 617 Cauthen Way, currently owned by The Keith Corporation, rests just behind Signal Crossing shopping center, also owned by TKC. (Staff photo by Myron Madden)

The Keith Corporation has temporarily withdrawn its request to rezone the 8.5-acre property at 617 Cauthen Way.

The retraction comes just after the commercial real estate firm was given 30 days to state its intentions for the property, whose proposed rezoning from low-density residential to highway commercial has been a subject of controversy throughout the town since earlier this summer.

The development means TKC will have to reapply for rezoning and start the process from scratch if and when it chooses to submit a new proposal for the property, said Signal Mountain Town Manager Boyd Veal. That new project could be similar to the developer's previous proposal, which would have brought a 40,000-square-foot grocery store to the property behind Signal Crossing shopping center if approved. Or the new project could be something completely different, said Veal.

Knox Campbell of TKC said the firm's intentions for the property have not changed and that TKC is still working to create a more compelling proposal for the envisioned grocery store using feedback gathered during August's well-attended public forum concerning the group's plans, adding that the firm is still trying to find a "complementary, mountainesque design" that will fit the town's unique feel.

Campbell said TKC is not under any time restraints concerning the property, which it bought in January for $410,000, and the firm will use the next few months to bring in additional third-party service providers, such as architects, as it crafts its new proposal.

Veal said those keeping a close eye on the process can watch the town of Signal Mountain's website for updates on future meetings about Cauthen Way, as the town would need to again post a notice about the property with a meeting date, should a new application be submitted.

"We will certainly try to make this as easily accessible as it could possibly be," Veal said. "We want to do our part to make sure everyone's informed and has access to the information as soon as possible."

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