Plan commission approves Aldi site plan for Kilkenny Farms West after architecture, loading and landscape discussion

The joint plan commission on Monday approved a site plan for an Aldi grocery store on Lot 1 of Kilkenny Farms West, concluding a months-long review of building materials, the south elevation and truck access.

The vote followed a presentation by Tom Howe, director of real estate for Aldi, who said the company had revised its design several times to respond to staff feedback on materials, glazing and landscape buffering. “We are over 2,500 stores now nationally,” Howe said, describing Aldi’s experience adapting prototypes to local code and community preferences.

Commissioners and staff focused discussion on the south façade as a gateway into the village, changes to material breaks and the request from staff that the project consider larger bump‑outs at material transitions. Aldi representatives said the plan includes Nichiha cementitious panels, masonry water table details and added spandrel glazing on the tower features; they said a larger (12–18 inch) bump‑out would be costly and would require structural and siteplan changes. The developer also described a future‑proofing expansion area of roughly 1,200 interior gross square feet on the west side of the building.

The plan packet shows a loading dock and a landscaped buffer between Holiday Drive and the dock; commissioners asked about sightlines and the effect on nearby homes that back to Holiday Drive. Aldi’s team said the dock is separated by a park‑like planting buffer and that the contractor used auto‑turn drawings; the consultant Strand reviewed the truck turning analysis and reported no issues. Aldi said trucks will visit the store about eight to 10 times per week, with many deliveries arriving during early morning hours.

Commissioners and staff also discussed aesthetics for the site and building: matching the cooler/freezer wall color and trim to the building’s stucco and stone facing, adding a red trim around rooflines to blend the new building, and screening for rooftop mechanicals. Aldi described sustainability features in the design including LED lighting, an energy‑management system and a heat‑reclaim system tied to refrigeration; the company identified a single 25‑ton CES HVAC unit for the store and said refrigeration choices are part of its corporate sustainability program.

Public comment included Paula Hogan of Freshford Drive, who said she welcomed another grocer but worried that Aldi — “it’s not a full service grocery store” — might preclude getting a different full‑service chain in the village.

After discussion the commission moved to approve the site plan as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners said they expect Aldi and staff to continue coordination on final landscape plantings, minor site corrections and any mechanical screening during the building‑permit review.

Work now moves to permit review and construction scheduling; Aldi did not give a firm construction start date at the meeting.