A new Kroger with a pharmacy, Starbucks and gas station is planned for the west side of Newport, but some residents aren’t happy about it.
The Westside Citizens Coalition appealed the decision to include a fuel center at the approved Kroger grocery store at 20 West 6th St. in Newport. The appeal was supposed to be heard during a Dec. 3 board of adjustments meeting, but attorneys on both sides were given until Dec. 9 to come to an agreement. Should each side not come to an agreement the city will schedule a special meeting, most likely sometime in December.
The coalition’s application submitted to the Newport Board of Adjustments on Nov. 4 stated concerns on traffic and safety, environmental and health, property values and setting precedent for future nonconforming development.
“Contingencies are commonplace in hearings like this, there’s oftentimes negotiations and settlements that are had outside of these hearings that don’t involve the board,” Newport Planning and Building Director Brian Steffen said. “In this case, it appears as though the appellate, the West Side Citizens Coalition, and Kroger, the affected business owner, are close to reaching some sort of an agreement. The city is in agreement with that, and that will allow us to continue with a reasonable time frame again, Dec. 9.”
The Kroger will be in a building that once housed an independent grocery store and sits across from Wooden Cask Brewing Company. The location is expected to bring in roughly 200 new jobs, according to the public zoning hearing notice.
This new location is in addition to the Kroger in the Newport Pavilion.
Ed Davis, a longtime Newport resident, was the signing member of the coalition’s appeal.
The appeal argues that the Kroger fuel center does not fit the definition of a “customary accessory building or use.” The appeal states that a gas station is a business operation that can stand on its own rather than being subordinate to a grocery store. Further, it said that selling fuel is a primary business not an accessory one.
The coalition stated in its appeal that allowing the fuel center as an accessory use goes against the intent of the zoning ordinance which does not permit gasoline service stations in the current zone.
Karen Schiltz, the owner of Wooden Cask Brewing Company, told LINK nky she supports the Kroger development.
“We strongly support this project because it will bring increased customer traffic to our area, creating a win-win for local businesses and the community,” Schiltz said. “With the addition of Kroger, we anticipate a significant boost in foot traffic, enabling us to expand our hours of operation to include lunch service. This expansion will also allow us to hire more employees, further contributing to local job creation and economic growth, as well as increased tax revenue for the city.”
Schiltz said that supporting the development is not just approving a new store but helping to address a need in the area due to a lack of accessible fresh, quality food options.
The coalition also addressed the fuel center’s odor. The appeal quotes a section of the zoning code that states, “No use producing objectionable noise, odors, or dust shall be permitted within 500 feet from the boundary of any residential zone.”
The coalition’s appeal stated that the proposed fuel center would be within 500 feet of two residential zones: Central Ave. to the west and 7th Street and Columbia Street to the southwest. It also stated that gasoline emits an odor, and humans can detect the smell of gasoline at very low concentrations in the air.
Should the matter go before the board of adjustments for approval or denial, either party can appeal in the Campbell County Circuit Court.