East Ellijay City Councilmembers heard that the Aldi supermarket chain is interested in purchasing property on Highway 515 during a recent council meeting.
Mayor Mack West said he and city planner Mack Wood met with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) officials and House Speaker David Ralston’s assistant, Deidra Powell, to discuss “daylighting” property along the highway to allow for visibility for the possible construction of an Aldi’s grocery store.
According to GDOT, daylighting is any vegetation removal whose primary purpose is to enhance the visibility of adjacent property.
West said GDOT consented to controlled removal of certain invasive species of plants and smaller diameter trees, and “assured us the lot would have adequate daylighting to satisfy the Aldi representatives.” The property owner can now proceed with the sale, he noted.
Aldi is looking at buying three lots near the Auto Zone and Chick-fil-A area, but the sale is not a “done deal,” Wood noted. With an agreement to allow the vegetation and tree removal, it’s 95 percent better than before, he added.
“This is restricted access, so you have to stay under GDOTs policies,” Wood said.
Councilmembers Don Callihan and Linda Smith approved of the city’s handling of the property issue.
Wood said Aldi is also building a store in Blairsville and looking at other locations in the area. The popular supermarket chain currently has more than 60 stores in Georgia. The closest store to Ellijay is in Canton.
“The one in Canton is full all the time. They’re expanding for a reason,” said Wood.
In his report on new East Ellijay businesses, Wood said High Mountain Bread, a bakery, will be opening in the Highlands shopping area.
Under construction in the Highland Parkway area are three more new restaurants — Popeyes, Pueblo Cantina and Buffalo Luke’s, Wood confirmed.