Planning Commission OKs Kroger Requests for Expansion

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

A rendering of the proposed Kroger expansion.

The Oxford Planning Commission had given Kroger a thumbs up on its plans to double the size of the Oxford store.

The planned Kroger expansion will provide additional 44,954-square feet of grocery retail space including a bakery, snack bar and drive-thru pharmacy, for a total of 103,620-square feet of grocery retail.

The fueling center located at the southwest corner of the site will be expanded to include four new pumps (eight new fueling positions). In addition, the easternmost driveway is proposed to be relocated approximately 130 feet to the east, to coincide with existing Booker Road.

A new traffic signal is planned for the intersection of Booker Road and the relocated driveway.

The now-empty strip mall next to the existing grocery store will be demolished and construction will begin on the expansion. The current store will also be renovated.

Proposed site plan for the expansion of Kroger in Oxford.

A Starbucks and another restaurant will be included in the renovation. A rendering submitted to the planning department shows a logo for Corky’s Ribs & BBQ; however, Kroger representatives could not be reached Friday to confirm.

The Planning Commission approved several variances and granted a special exception request to have a grocery store in the current zoning, due to the size and complexity of the proposed changes to the site.

No one spoke up at the meeting against the project.

The expansion will increase the total on-site parking from 382 spots to 425 parking spaces.