Grocery store/organic food distribution center proposed

The property is part of the old Nunn Farm, which Bouchard has turned into an organic farming operation, “The Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms.”

Bouchard is a podiatrist with offices in Athens and Atlanta. He lives on the farm, and he explained that the proposed grocery store/distribution center — which will include a commercial kitchen — will support his farming enterprise and those of other farmers.

“I work with 30 other farmers in Athens every Saturday,” Bouchard explained. “They’re going to sell us their produce. People will get to meet the farmers and learn how the produce is grown.”

Bouchard envisions a 48,000-square-foot facility similar to Earth Fare in Athens or a Whole Foods — to whom he already sells produce in Atlanta.

As part of that project, Bouchard said he will include a “community garden” where citizens can plant crops and learn about organic gardening. The business will provide tools and drip irrigation.
That project would be on the west side of Nunn Road.

On the east side, Bouchard proposes to ultimately build a pair of medical office buildings and a hospice building. He said the office building would be occupied by up to 20 “investor tenants,” and that he will move his office into the building.

When asked about when construction might start, Bouchard, replied, “With the economy, nothing, in my mind, is immediate, but our intention is to break ground on the distribution center and one of the medical office buildings in the next 12 to 18 months.”

He told the planning commission that he’s got an engineer working on plans for the water and sewerage systems for the project. “If anything is immediate, this is immediate,” he said of the utility infrastructure.
The proposal includes 15 percent greenspace on both tracts. The greenspace on the grocery store/distribution center would comprise 3.75 acres, including the community garden. The greenspace on the second tract would amount to 2.5 acres, where Bouchard said he planned to provide a walking trail and picnic area for staff.

Bouchard had about 14 supporters in the audience. No one voiced any opposition to the rezoning request.

“If you haven’t been out to look at the property and see what he’s done with it, you ought to,” said Irma Johnson. “It’s fantastic.”

Jimmy Stephenson made the motion to recommend that the city council approved the request. After the vote, the audience broke into applause.