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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Planning staff says no to Signal Mountain grocery store

This photo taken June 26, 2014 shows a bucket of just picked sweet cherries at Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg, W.Va. With its sweet fruit-flavored liqueurs, a working farm and eccentric cast of characters including a dancing lemon  Bloomery Plantation Distillery has attracted tourists from every U.S. state and countries as far away as Laos and Iceland. The West Virginia mini-distillery is part of a growing agriculture tourism trend that advocates say can help revive struggling rural economies. Ag tourism refers to working farm enterprises geared to visitors, encompassing farm stands, pumpkin patches, barn dances, zip-line rides, pick-your-own berries, corn mazes and even weddings. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
This photo taken June 26, 2014 shows a bucket of just picked sweet cherries at Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg, W.Va. With its sweet fruit-flavored liqueurs, a working farm and eccentric cast of characters including a dancing lemon Bloomery Plantation Distillery has attracted tourists from every U.S. state and countries as far away as Laos and Iceland. The West Virginia mini-distillery is part of a growing agriculture tourism trend that advocates say can help revive struggling rural economies. Ag tourism refers to working farm enterprises geared to visitors, encompassing farm stands, pumpkin patches, barn dances, zip-line rides, pick-your-own berries, corn mazes and even weddings. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) This photo taken June 26, 2014 shows a bucket of just picked sweet cherries at Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg, W.Va. With its sweet fruit-flavored liqueurs, a working farm and eccentric cast of characters including a dancing lemon Bloomery Plantation Distillery has attracted tourists from every U.S. state and countries as far away as Laos and Iceland. The West Virginia mini-distillery is part of a growing agriculture tourism trend that advocates say can help revive struggling rural economies. Ag tourism refers to working farm enterprises geared to visitors, encompassing farm stands, pumpkin patches, barn dances, zip-line rides, pick-your-own berries, corn mazes and even weddings. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Citing traffic safety and other issues, Chattanooga planners are recommending against a requested rezoning for a neighborhood market proposed for a largely undeveloped site at the foot of Signal Mountain.

Planners said the proposed Crossroads IGA store isn’t compatible with nearby residences, would set a precedent for expansion onto “sensitive land” and prompt turning conflicts and safety concerns for Signal Mountain Road and Glendale Drive users.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Planning Commission will consider the request on Monday.

Signal Mountain resident Wendi Morgan said the 2.7-acre site is an “absolutely ridiculous” spot for the market, which Houchens Industries is proposing to put up along with a fuel center.

“It’s the first major curve of the road going up the mountain,” she said.