The town of Signal Mountain Planning Commission has given developers hoping to build a grocery store at 617 Cauthen Way 30 days to state their intentions for the property.
Following a well-attended public forum last month, The Keith Corporation, which also owns nearby Signal Crossing, asked the commission to table the vote on its rezoning request for the 8.5-acre lot until further notice. The property is currently zoned low-density residential.
Knox Campbell of TKC said the extension would give the commercial real estate firm time to invest in additional engineering plans, schematics and third-party service providers, like architects, to create a more compelling proposal.
"It seems like the more detail, the better, in this municipality," said Campbell, referencing forum attendees who called for more information about the proposed plan.
During the planning commission's Sept. 7 meeting, members voted to give developers until the commission's Oct. 5 meeting to inform the board of its intentions or withdraw the rezoning request.
Knox CampbellIf TKC chooses to proceed, it will be required to hold another public forum to present its updated plans.
Campbell said the firm is already looking to address some of the feedback and concerns heard from residents during the August forum. He pointed to comments regarding how the entrances to the property will be handled and what time delivery trucks would be allowed to stock the grocery store as some of the issues the firm is examining.
During the August meeting, Campbell said he also heard several concerns about architecture, which he said the firm is addressing by trying to find a "complementary, mountainesque design" that will allow any coming facility to fit the town's unique feel. He also said the firm would consider residents' desire for a type of town center development as TKC tweaks its plans, and will work to improve the landscaping at its existing Signal Crossing property, adding trees and other natural features.
"I don't think the plan is going to be changed drastically," Campbell said. "I just think we're going to do a better job of highlighting the benefits, the attributes, and then we're going to try to incorporate everything else we own and [give it] a face-lift."
Among those keeping a close eye on the process are residents opposed to the development, many of whom have signed a petition to document their disapproval of the proposed plan.
So far, the petition has garnered more than 1,160 signatures, which Signal resident Wendi Morgan says is about 500 more than she anticipated when she started it five weeks ago.
Morgan said she was appreciative of the planning commission for instating a time frame, which she believes will keep residents from waiting "on pins and needles" for the matter to come up again.
"People who are following this would like to not have it slip by us," she added. "I think that's what is more concerning: that it's going to come up in a meeting and we're not going to be looking."
The planning commission's Oct. 5 meeting begins at 6 p.m.