Church proposal prompts zoning review
This shopping center at Andersonville Highway and Norris Freeway could soon host a new church, if the city of Norris approves a zoning cange request to allow places of worship in C-2 commercial zones such as this. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
That use is not now permitted in C-2 zones, but a Baptist church based in Knox County wants to open a satellite location in the former IGA supermarket building on Andersonville Highway, and the property’s owners want the zoning change to permit it.
The Church at Sterchi Hills on Dry Gap Pike plans to build a 400-seat auditorium in the former Hensley’s IGA building in the Anderson Crossing area at the corner of Andersonville Highway and Norris Freeway (U.S. 441).
DeJarnette said the new location would be called “The Church at Anderson Crossing,” and would be expected to draw primarily from current Sterchi Hill church members who live in the Clinton, Norris and Andersonville areas.
An ordinance to make that change will get either a “yes” or “no” vote from the Planning Commission, presumably during Monday’s meeting, but then must go to the City Council for official passage.
The council plans to take up the proposed ordinance during its Oct. 12 regular meeting, and will make the final decision on the change, whether the Planning Commission approves or rejects it. It must be approved by the council on two readings, with a public hearing in between.
Property owners Dave Moore and Ken Seaman, of 3310 Real Estate Partnership, will appear before the Planning Commission and the council to ask for the zoning change.
“We’re looking to purchase it and plant a campus there,” said Robbie DeJarnette, the church’s administrative and groups pastor. “We have deep roots in Anderson County, and this is a chance for us to come home. We’re excited about it.”
DeJarnette, a former campus pastor for Faith Promise Church in Clinton and a former member of the Anderson County Planning Commission, said that he and the church’s lead pastor, Dr. Joel Dew, are from Anderson County. Dew’s mother lives in Norris, he added.
The church plans to buy the entire 3.99-acre property, which Seamon and Moore bought for $1.2 million in January 2023.
The building most recently served as a location for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, which had been allowed to use the former grocery space free of charge.
Still housed in the center are two hair salons and a gun store.
It’s also the former location of the Anderson County government offices that collect real estate taxes and sell and process motor vehicle registrations. That office moved to the shopping center next door, which houses the Anderson Crossing Pharmacy and other businesses.
Besides the former grocery space, there was an additional 4,000 square feet that had recently been used by the Anderson County High School wrestling team as a training facility.
