Construction is expected to begin in late fall on an Aldi’s grocery story to be built in Warrenton. Aldermen Tuesday night unanimously approved a site plan for the new development, which will be located on 1.63 acres at the corner of Highway 47 and Anwijio Way. The former Sonic restaurant will be demolished to make room for the 15,622-square-foot building and 85 parking spaces. According to the site plan, the parking lot will be situated primarily where the former Sonic building is located with the grocery store to be built on a lot to the north and facing in the south direction. The property’s only driveway will be accessible from Anwijio Way. Prior to aldermen voting on the site plan, the city’s planning and commission supported the future development though it required developers to build sidewalks on Anwijio Way and along Highway 47. The original site plan submitted to the city did not include sidewalks. Ward 1 Alderman Dan Dieckmann was pleased that planning and zoning members required sidewalks to be built. “I am a big walker around town,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing that they pushed for that. I want to commend them.” Mayor Greg Costello agreed, noting that sidewalks are available nearly all the way to the southern end of the city. “Many times the city and planning and zoning commission get criticized for requiring sidewalks to nowhere,” he said. “It’s there when the next development comes along. Many times we fail to see that, from both the point of the public and sometimes the board of aldermen. I agree sidewalks are good.” Aldi’s also is building new stores in Chesterfield and Arnold. John Sawyer, of Sawyer Engineering, Inc., told aldermen at Tuesday’s meeting that construction would begin on the Warrenton location once those other stores are completed, though he was unsure if another location might be started prior to the new store here. He said construction should be completed in 3 ½ months. “They go very quickly,” Sawyer said. Ward 1 Alderman Phil Tallo also commented that he’s heard “a lot of good comments” about Aldi’s opening a Warrenton store and added that “people can’t wait” for it to open. Once it opens, Aldi’s will be the fourth grocery store in Warrenton, joining Wal-Mart, Moser’s and Kroger’s.