By Bill Short
Millington Municipal Planning Commission has approved a Site Plan for an existing restaurant that intends to move into a building at a different location.
Commission members took the action during their May 18 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Mike Caruthers and seconded by Vice Chairman Brett Morgan.
The motion was passed by six affirmative votes, with Brenda Barber absent.
The Olympic Steak & Pizza restaurant at 8500 Wilkinsville Road plans to relocate to the vacant building at 8472 Highway 51 North that previously housed the Appleby’s and Perkins restaurants.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, said that building is “a good bit smaller” than the restaurant’s current location. So, 1,218 square feet will be added to its south side.
He noted that the handicapped parking spaces on that side will be moved to the front.
“There’ll be painted hardi panels above the brick and stone on the front and on the south side,” he said, “with the colors basically continuing around the building.”
Goforth also said he told the architect that the restaurant can legally erect a pylon sign at that location. He noted that the existing 6-foot sign is difficult to see, especially, among all the other signs in the area.
In response to a question by Caruthers, Goforth said 20 feet is required for each parking space and 22 feet for the “aisle” behind it.
Caruthers said it appears that the south side will be “really tight” with parking.
“There’s not much room there now,” he noted. “When they expand the building, there’s going to be less room.”
But Goforth said the addition will extend only to the back of the existing handicapped spaces and not out into the “drive” that is already there.
Clint Baker, an engineer with The Renaissance Group in Lakeland, said there will still be 22 to 24 feet on the south side for customers to “back out” of newly installed parking spaces.
“I want it to be OK,” Caruthers acknowledged. “I just want to make sure.”
While noting that the vacant building has “a really small kitchen,” Caruthers asked whether it will be expanded.
Baker said there will be a “small addition” on the northeast corner of the building, possibly intended to provide a little more room.
“I’m not the architect,” he acknowledged, “so I’m not exactly sure.”
Expressing concern, Caruthers said two restaurants “went out of business” at that location, because “the kitchen was too small.”
