By Bill Short
The Millington Municipal Planning Commission has unanimously approved a second Site Plan revision for construction of a free-standing building that will house the Margaritas restaurant.
Commission members took the action during their Jan. 19 meeting on a motion offered by Mike Caruthers and seconded by Leanna Dagen.
The Margaritas restaurant in Millington is currently located in Suite 112 of the shopping center at 8507 Highway 51 North.
Its new 6,655-square-foot 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. It will be located west of the vacant building that previously housed the Dairy Queen.
During the summer of 2020, the commission unanimously approved a Site Plan that was initially submitted for the new building, and the Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a Subdivision Development Agreement for its construction.
At its October 2020 meeting, the commission approved the first revised Site Plan that was submitted.
The new building was originally planned to face the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. But Flores decided that the front of the restaurant could easily be seen from Highway 51.
So, in the first revision, the building was “rotated to face east,” with its entrance on Copper Creek Drive.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, told the commission on Jan. 19 that Flores wants to construct additional parking spaces. So, the restaurant’s stormwater detention system will be placed “underground.”
Goforth noted that Tom Needham, engineering consultant for the city, reviewed the second revision to make sure it still meets all the requirements. So, he recommended it for approval with the following conditions:
(1) The size of the underground stormwater detention system must be increased to retain the “full 25-year storm.”
(2) Stormwater piping cannot be used as part of the detention system.
(3) Flores will be responsible for cleaning the system.
Goforth has said the new 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.
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.
