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Until concerns are addressed, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa is against rezoning the adjacent 911 Center property to allow ALDI foods to locate there.

Tom Witt, chairman of the church Finance Committee, said the church has concerns, one of which is traffic.

The church, located near the busy intersection of Louisville Road and the 129 Bypass, has over 1,000 families in the parish and was growing at 5 percent until the recent economic downturn, he said. He expects that 5 percent to return when the economy improves.

"It takes one half-hour to empty the lot out on Sunday," he said.

Witt said he has been involved in trucking for 30 years and knows what trucks can do. The church is concerned about the turning radius. "Semis cannot turn the corner," he said.

A third concern is about the frontage road leading to the church and the 911 Center and whether it can handle the weight of those loaded trucks.

"The church has over 400 children and may sometime in the future tear down the rectory and build a school," Witt said. "Having all those trucks go by is a safety issue. Until we see a site plan that addresses all these issues, we are in opposition."

The 911 Center is being moved and the expensive commercial property on which it is located is being sold to ALDI foods for a retail outlet.

While Witt said he understands the new use would bring property taxes and sales taxes to the city, there will be costs associated with the new business in addressing the above concerns.

ALDI shares concerns

David Hassen, ALDI foods director of real estate, said, "We as a company share some of your concerns. We are extremely concerned by the truck radius. Most of our deliveries are done at night."

He said that he and the company are "in support of the community."

Alcoa Mayor Don Mull told Witt, "We have some of the same concerns about big trucks and turning."

Planners OK rezoning

The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend to Alcoa City Commission that the property of the 911 building and church property be reclassified in the future land use plan from Institutional to Commercial.

The commission also recommended rezoning the 911 property from Limited Restriction to General Business District E.

Before ALDI can locate there, a site plan will have to be approved, said Alcoa planner Chris Hamby.

The planners also recommended to city Commission amending the zoning ordinance to require fewer parking stalls in multi-family units, which would be units of three or more. The rule would go from 2.5 to 2 spaces per dwelling.