Braelinn Kroger expansion gets PTC planners’ approval
Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 10:05am
Submitted by John Munford
Submitted by John Munford
A plan to expand the Braelinn Kroger grocery store by nearly 43,000 sq. ft. was approved by the Peachtree City Planning Commission Monday night.
The store will also be renovated on the inside to make room for a Starbucks bistro, a sushi bar, a salad bar and other expanded services for customers along with wider aisles, a company official told the commission.
There was some haggling prior to approval as Planning Commissioner Lynda Wojcik said she didn’t like that the store would eliminate some trees on the western side of the building to make room for about 10 parking spaces. Wojcik said her main concern was protecting the store from view of people who drive along the adjacent cart path.
The end result was that the parking spaces were removed from the plan so the area could remain landscaped.
Approval from the planning commission is only one step in the process, as the store also needs a nod from the Peachtree City Council because a special use permit is necessary for the development. That process was put in place several years ago to help the city control the size of large stores.
Council is slated to vote on the SUP application at its Feb. 7 meeting.
If the SUP is approved, the expansion would bring the Kroger’s size to about 123,000 sq. ft.
Kroger plans to extend its front architecture around about 100 feet on both sides of the store to make it more attractive, a company official said.
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 2:51pm
#2
This really has zero to do with Haddix..
He's not my favorite politician, but I see no need to bring him into this discussion.
I'm glad Kroger is making the investment in my community.
Thu, 01/31/2013 - 8:55pm
#3
Haddix: Kroger
This is purely a Kroger initiative.
Back when the renovations to the shopping center were finished, they told us they were considering this expansion, but wanted to see the impact of the changes made. All of us encouraged them to move forward.
Obviously they like what they see and what is happening. As well they added 15 golf cart spaces as we urged them to do back then but didn't.
I like it, of course subject to getting the details ironed out. Also great is the tenants being relocated reduces the vacancies within the center. A double win for everyone.
As far as November goes, I heard that twice before. We will see.
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 10:12am
#4
kroger Expansion
I think this renovation could be a good thing for our community, but as a disabled person, (who rides a mobitity scooter to that location) I am wondering what will happen to the other businesses that I rely on, because of my limited access? If this is a case of a larger business encroaching on the rights of the other businesses, then it may not be. Kroger should pay the cost of the other businesses to move into the vacant spaces within the shopping center. As Mayor, you should be looking out for all of the those impacted by this change.
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 11:14am
#5
Haddix: Store Moves
They are paying the cost of the move. This will give those businesses a chance to update as well, giving better service than before.
I also talked to them about more than one entrance to allow disabled to enter doors closer to the area of the store in which they wish to shop.
The plan is to have wider aisles as well, for easier travel within the store.
If you have any other concerns, please pass them along to not only me, but the Planning Commission as well. They will be shared with Kroger and the Shopping Center as appropriate.
Was the investment in the "new Braelinn" shopping area a good one?
Seems Kroger thinks so and so does this reader, a development success.
OK, Mr. Haddix, step right up and take credit for it. Let's hear how you shepherd this for our community.
BTW, it doesn't matter, you'll still lose in November.