Planning commission conditionally approves Friendly Express site plan at former Rite Aid on South Main

A majority of the Green City Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Wednesday of a conditional site plan for Friendly Express to redevelop the former Rite Aid at 4053 South Main Street into a gas station and convenience store.

Architect Jim Persuto told commissioners the owners will demolish about 20 feet of the building facing Turkey Foot to create circulation for a six‑pump canopy measuring roughly 40 by 94 feet and that the plan provides about 42 parking spaces—exceeding the code‑required total the applicant cited. He said the design removes an earlier west‑side drive‑through and adds underground stormwater detention tanks. “The owners agreed to demolish the 20 foot of the existing building that faces Turkey Foot, to gain additional circulation for the gas pumps and canopy,” Persuto said.

Planning staff recommended conditional approval, saying the parcel is a 1.76‑acre B‑1 site on which retail and fuel sales are permitted. Staff noted the project meets setback standards without variances, that the impervious surface ratio is at the code maximum of 75 percent, and that outstanding stormwater calculations and fire‑department comments must be resolved before final sign‑off. Staff told the commission the Design Review Board had issued a favorable recommendation subject to final engineering and any needed fire corrections.

Commission members asked about the future tenant space and parking. A commission member who described themselves as the board’s retail reviewer said the site is an important gateway and expressed concern the tenant space could remain vacant or be used for an undesirable use (for example, a bar). Owner Larry Kane said Friendly Express typically houses in‑store food franchises—he cited Champ’s Chicken—and that any future tenant build‑out would require separate approvals. “We’re gonna plan on operating from 5AM to 11PM,” Kane said when asked about hours.

Public commenters and the council liaison raised related concerns about lighting, screening and maintenance: a resident asked that the existing dumpster enclosure be repaired or refreshed, and a council member urged the applicant to limit canopy lighting after hours to reduce neighborhood glare. The applicant said cut‑off photometric fixtures are included and that a small number of canopy lights would remain on for security after closing.

At the end of the meeting a commission member moved to recommend approval “contingent on final engineering approval of the plans, the applicants addressing of any fire concerns, [and] the approval of the proposed freestanding identification sign as submitted,” and additionally asked that a D‑5 liquor license be restricted for the future tenant. The motion was seconded and recorded votes of “Yes” were entered for Bishman, Esher, Burch, Anderson and one additional affirmative; the motion passed.

The conditional recommendation requires final engineering and any outstanding fire‑department approvals before the project proceeds to building permits. The commission also approved the proposed freestanding sign and recorded a related recommendation; liquor‑license limitations or conditions would be handled through separate administrative or council processes.