Harrison zoning board to weigh Aldi proposal for Freeport Road

Harrison residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal by grocery giant Aldi, whose company officials are eyeing a site along Freeport Road.

J.R. Perry, Aldi’s Saxonburg Division vice president, confirmed last month that plans are in the works for a store in the Natrona Heights section of the township.

Perry declined to reveal an exact location, but it appears the company is looking at the property long occupied by Harbison Nursery, 4024 Freeport Road.

The garden shop is across from the Walmart plaza and has operated in the township for more than 25 years.

Harbison’s owners were not immediately available for comment.

The Harrison Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing Wednesday, March 23, to seek input on the proposal. The board will consider a variance request by APD Engineering & Architecture, on behalf of Aldi, to allow a retail store in an area zoned S-1, or special.

A second variance will be sought to allow for construction within a required 30-yard setback from Freeport Road.

Township Commissioner Jim Erb said he looks forward to reviewing the proposal after the zoning board makes its recommendations.

“Any business coming into the township that would benefit residents, whether with low prices or healthy foods, is good,” he said.

Founded in 1961 in Germany, Aldi has 40 million customers a month across the United States, according to the company website.

With U.S. headquarters in Batavia, Ill., Aldi has more than 2,000 stores in 36 states. It says it employs more than 25,000 people.

Locally, Aldi stores are in Lower Burrell, Frazer, Kittanning, Penn Hills and Shaler. The company is looking to build a new location on Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington at the site of a former Kmart.

Commissioner Chuck Dizard said the potential for an Aldi store is an exciting development for the township.

“Until the zoning requests are concluded and plans are presented to the planning commission, we’ll have to wait and see,” Dizard said. “Hopefully, everything will be positive.”