By Bill Short
The Millington Municipal Planning Commission has approved a revised Site Plan for construction of a free-standing building that will house the Margaritas restaurant.
Commission members took the action during their Oct. 19 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Vice Chairman Brett Morgan and seconded by Curtis Park. The motion was passed by six affirmative votes, with Brenda Barber absent.
The Margaritas restaurant in Millington is currently located in Suite 112 of the shopping center at 8507 Highway 51 North.
Its new building will be constructed on a 1.26-acre lot owned by Jose Flores in the southeast corner of the intersection of Copper Creek Drive and Creek Mill Road. The lot is zoned B-2, General Commercial.
At its July 20 meeting, the commission unanimously approved a Site Plan that was initially submitted for the new building.
On Aug. 10, the Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a Subdivision Development Agreement for its construction.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, has said the 6,655-square-foot building will be “pretty much identical” to the one that is in Munford, and the restaurant’s parking lot will “more than exceed” the city’s requirements.
But he has noted that the intersection must be “reconstructed” to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. And Creek Mill Road will have to be widened “all along the frontage,” with curbs, gutters and sidewalks installed.
Although the exterior of the existing building has lanterns that shine outward. Goforth has said the lights on the new one will shine down on the sidewalk.
The site will also have a “specific landscape screen” that includes trees and a low hedge when cars are parked next to the road.
The new restaurant will be located west of the vacant building that previously housed the Dairy Queen. It was originally planned to face the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
But Goforth has said Flores decided that the front of the restaurant could easily be seen from Highway 51. So, in the revised Site Plan, the building has been “rotated to face east.”
Although a “slight adjustment” has been made to the parking lot, Goforth has said it will have the same number of spaces, and its entrance will be on Copper Creek Drive.
Tom Needham, engineering consultant for the city, has reviewed the revised plan to make sure it still meets all of the requirements. So, Goforth has said the “bond” is still good, because the conditions have not changed.
The total subdivision bond amount of $45,612 must be approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen prior to its release.
The $11,083 in public improvements will consist of water and sewer development fees, a water tap and sewer connection fee and an inspection fee. That cost will include 6 percent for inflation and a bond of $650 for street lights.
Millington requires a developer to pay the cost of installing street lights on the property. But under a contract with the city, Memphis Light, Gas & Water has already installed them on Creek Mill Road.
So, Goforth has said Flores will be expected to pay for their installation on his “portion” of Copper Creek Drive.
