The developer of a proposed neighborhood market at the foot of Signal Mountain is pushing ahead for approval, even though city planners and many neighbors to the project don't want the new store.
Tim Rich, Houchen Industries' director of property and store development, said the proposed Crossroads IGA market at Signal Mountain Road and Glendale Drive is slated to go before the City Council on June 14 for that panel's blessing if a traffic study underway is favorable to the project.
If the study signals "a red light , I'll cancel the project," he said at the meeting at Mountain Creek Baptist Church this week.
Rich said the $4.6 million market, which would be located on a 2.7-acre mostly vacant tract across from a city park, will primarily serve people driving up Signal Mountain or those who live nearby.
However, many of the more than 30 people who turned out at a meeting Monday night still expressed worries about traffic, water runoff and the need for another market and fueling station in the area.
"My concern is safety," said Dunn Monroe, who lives on Signal Mountain. "To me, it's totally dangerous."
He said that motorists coming down the mountain and waiting to cross traffic to pull into the market could get rear-ended by another vehicle.
Melissa Cantrell said the study will show "a lot of traffic will go up and a lot will go down."
While Kentucky-based Houchens has said there won't be a traffic light at the intersection, she was concerned one could be put up by the city over time.
"I can't promise there will never be one," Rich said.
Citing traffic concerns, the Regional Planning Agency staff and the board of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission both recommended against rezoning the site for the store and gas station.
Bill Cooze, who lives on Glendale, said he has "never seen a worse place to locate a service station."
He also is concerned about rainwater runoff with the development of the property.
"It will displace more water," Cooze said.
Kirby Yost, an attorney for the market project, said the city will require that water runoff be better than it is now.
"It should improve rather than create a further problem," she said.
Derek English, who lives on Signal, said he doesn't believe the area needs another market and fuel station.
"Wouldn't it serve you better if it would be closer to U.S. 27?" he asked.
Rich said people like to buy groceries near where they live and the store would be one of motorists' last stops on their way home.
According to Houchens, the 10,000-square-foot store would hold locally grown produce along with well-known brand products. Rich said the company is looking at restaurant brands such as Schlotzsky's deli, Which Wich sandwiches and Panera Bread for an in-store eatery.
Houchens said it would limit daily hours of the market from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. as well as loading, delivery and dumpster hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It also would use down-lighting outside.
Houchens said Glendale won't be widened, the project won't affect the park across Signal Mountain Road and that just over half of the parcel will be developed.
During Monday's public meeting, owners of the property also said they had been approached about putting an adult book store at the location if the Crossroads IGA project doesn't go through.
City Councilman Chip Henderson attended the meeting, but did not express an opinion about the rezoning.
"I can make a better decision when I understand what the facts are," he said.
The City Council has the final decision-making power on zoning matters.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.