Will Senoia shoppers soon be Krogering?

Residents could find out Monday night when the City Council votes on the megachain's request to build a 75,000 sq. ft. store in the eastern Coweta city.

Late this fall, Senoia shoppers were buzzing about the prospect of having a new grocery store in town. The store would build at the intersection of Ga. highways 16 and 85 and also feature a Kroger fuel station, which would be the first in the area.

Along with Kroger, developer Trammell Crow is also planning to add 30,000 square feet of other retail in the shopping center.

The shopping center site is the former Senoia Express gas station, which officials discovered was leaking contaminants into the soil. Tom Dunlap, who represents property owner Roy Tinsley, said the cleanup of the site has begun, but it will still take between 12-18 months before that area of the property can be developed. Kroger officials were adamant that no portion of their development, including the parking lot, could touch the contaminated area, so the grocery store will probably be the first area developed at the center.

The grocery store is also seeking a number of variances, along with their request to be zoned commercial. Kroger wants some of the setbacks and buffers reduced.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the issue at 7 p.m. Monday night, and then vote on the issue during its 7:30 p.m. City Council meeting.