Oak Ridge Today

Council approves Weigel’s store in two 6-0 votes

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Weigels Rezoning

The Oak Ridge City Council has approved a rezoning and two driveways for a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue.

With almost no discussion, the Oak Ridge City Council on Monday voted 6-0 to approve a rezoning and two driveways off South Illinois Avenue for a new Weigel’s gas station and convenience store.

In previous meetings, city officials had been concerned about potential traffic problems at the new 16-pump gas station, particularly with more vehicles turning left to get on and off busy, seven-lane South Illinois Avenue.

But a traffic study completed by Knoxville engineering firm Cannon and Cannon in September appears to have alleviated those concerns. Prepared for Weigel’s, that study said the new store would have a minimal impact on traffic.

“Much to my surprise, this is a good idea,” Oak Ridge City Council member Ellen Smith said before Monday night’s vote.

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Council considers Kroger, Weigel’s projects on Monday

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Kroger Marketplace Site Plan

Kroger Marketplace Site Plan

Oak Ridge officials on Monday will consider project approvals for two highly anticipated commercial developments on Illinois Avenue, one a Kroger Marketplace shopping center and the other a Weigel’s gas station and convenience store.

The $30 million Kroger shopping center would be built on about 25 acres at the busy intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue, but the land has to be rezoned.

The rezoning has already been endorsed by the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission, which unanimously recommended it in a 10-0 vote during a Sept. 27 meeting.

It now has to be considered by Oak Ridge City Council. Council will consider it on Monday in the first of two monthly votes, or readings.

The proposed site now includes more than 50 homes and duplex units, two hotels, a restaurant, and daycare on Iris Circle, Oak Ridge Turnpike, North Illinois Avenue, Robin Lane, and Ivanhoe, Raleigh, and Robertsville roads.

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Weigel’s would have minimal impact on traffic, study says

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Note: This story was updated at 12:10 a.m. Sept. 22.

The proposed Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue would have a minimal impact on traffic, according to a study completed this month by a Knoxville engineering firm.

A few Oak Ridge officials had expressed concern about cars turning left to enter and leave the store on the busy, seven-lane roadway, which is used by about 27,000 vehicles per day.

The City Council approved a rezoning for the project in a 6-1 vote on Sept. 10, but members said they expected a traffic study before considering the rezoning on second and final reading on Oct. 8.

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Council approves Weigel’s rezoning

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Weigels 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.

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Council considers Weigel’s rezoning tonight

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Weigels Rezoning

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider a rezoning for a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue during a meeting at 7 p.m. today.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider a property rezoning tonight that could allow a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue.

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.

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Planning Commission recommends Weigel’s rezoning

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There are more hurdles to clear before a Weigel’s can be built on South Illinois Avenue, but a city board has recommended that a 1.5-acre parcel south of TNBank be rezoned for the proposed gas station and convenience store.

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission recommended the rezoning in a 7-3 vote Thursday.

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Weigel’s, Bojangle’s, Popeyes proposed on South Illinois Avenue

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Weigels Rezoning

The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission will consider a rezoning for a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue during a Thursday evening meeting.

A Weigel’s gas station and convenience store could be built next to TNBank on South Illinois Avenue if city officials approve a project rezoning.

Meanwhile, two restaurants that serve chicken and other food have been proposed on South Illinois Avenue. Popeyes is replacing Wishbones on Illinois Avenue just south of Oak Ridge Turnpike, and a site plan has been approved for a Bojangle’s on property just south of the former Dean Stallings Ford, Community Development Director Kathryn Baldwin said Wednesday.

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