Council approves Weigel's rezoning

Council approves Weigel’s rezoning

The Oak Ridge City Council has approved a rezoning for a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue in the first of two readings.

The Oak Ridge City Council has approved a rezoning that could allow a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue.

Council approved the rezoning in a 6-1 vote during the first of two readings on Monday. It will be considered during a second and final reading on Oct. 10.

The rezoning would allow the proposed gas station and convenience store on a 1.5-acre parcel south of TNBank. The 3,900-square-foot store could open by 2013.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission had recommended the rezoning in a 7-3 vote last month, but some city officials said they had concerns about cars turning left off South Illinois Avenue to enter the gas station and turning left to get back onto the busy roadway. South Illinois Avenue is used by more than 37,000 vehicles per day.

Weigel’s real estate director Chris Ooten said a traffic study expected to be done by Wednesday should address the city’s concerns.

“We’re committed to doing the best job that we can,” Ooten said.

That study could be considered by the Oak Ridge Traffic Safety Advisory Board before the Oct. 10 City Council meeting.

Oak Ridge City Council member Ellen Smith cast the only vote against the rezoning on Monday. She said she was forced to vote before she was ready by a “call for the question,” a procedure that ended debate and forced a vote.

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Sam

This is a very good move by council. As I expected Ellen Smith voted against the rezoning. With the election coming up shortly, voters really need to keep in mind who on council is business friendly and who is not. We simply cannot afford to turn away a business such as Weigel’s.
Thanks John, for keeping us posted on the latest happenings. Yours is an unvaluable service!!
- Onslow West
  
  I think you might be reading more into Smith’s “no” vote than is warranted. Her reason for voting no was that she was not ready to vote for the proposed change in zoning. The statement by Chris Ooten left me with the thought that the call for the question was premature because the traffic study results were not yet available. Are you not the least bit hesitant before seeing what the impact might be on one of Oak Ridge’s busiest roads before going full throttle for another convenience store?
  
  Your allegation that Smith is not pro-business is a non sequitur. I think Smith would take you to the woodshed on a discussion about business growth in Oak Ridge. Lest you think I am an unbiased observer, let me say that I am one who is frequently frustrated by her analysis paralysis. But making snap judgments, especially the type that you rail against in other areas, does not directly translate into an anti-business outlook.
Sam

Yep OW, you and Ellen Smith are right and the other six council members are wrong. That sounds like your normal thought process. Some time ago Smith voted no on re-zoning a corner lot at the intersection of South Illinois and Union Valley road where Pilot may vary well have put in one of their popular stores. In addition, before that she expressed her displeasure at Aldi who was interested in locating in the area where General Dollar is now at Florida/Turnpike intersection. She did not like where they would put their loading dock. Aldi pulled out and opened in Knoxville and are doing very well. Smith does very well on greenways and bike lanes, not so well on business locations.
- Onslow West
  
  You must get a lot of exercise from jumping to conclusions.
  
  See my comment above regarding disrupted traffic flow. I think Aldi and Pilot were both put off by the COR’s reluctance to provide direct access to their stores from the Turnpike and South Illinois, respectively.
  
  I don’t think Smith’s deliberations and vote had that much influence on those stores’ decisions to not site new stores in Oak Ridge. It’s not really a matter of being right or wrong. It’s about gathering enough information and then making a decision. Regarding the six-to-one vote, I have this to say: I’ll bet Smith is better at spotting a half-baked plan than the other six.
Sam

Oh, and the planning commission had recommended the re-zoning 7-3 several weeks ago. Get in the game.
- Onslow West
  
  Yeah, that’s right, the planning commission voted to recommend it, but they had reservations about the impact of adding yet another entrance to Illinois Avenue in what is going to be a congested area. Weigels is expecting the COR to allow cars to make left hand turns into (southbound traffic) and out of (northbound traffic) their parking lot. I believe their plan to build is contingent on it.
  
  The COR City Engineer recommended a right-turn-in,
  right-turn-out access. The traffic study, scheduled for release on Wednesday, is likely to support that recommendation.
  
  I expect Weigels to renege on their plans if they don’t get approval for the left-hand turns. I think Weigles’ Chris Ooten has said that you can’t have a “convenience” store without the ability to make left hand turns into the parking lot. So be it. I don’t think Oak Ridge is lacking in the number of convenience stores or fast food chain restaurants.