By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has passed an ordinance on final reading that approves a Mixed Use Planned Development overlay district for the Millington Farms subdivision.
Board members took the action during their April 13 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Al Bell and seconded by Alderman Don Lowry.
The ordinance was passed on first reading at the board’s March 9 meeting.
The MUPD will be located on 103.74 acres east of the Shoppes of Millington Farms and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. It will include retail, office and hotel components, as well as multi-family housing facilities.
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Millington Municipal Planning Commission approved the MUPD and recommended a zoning change from commercial to residential.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, has said an MUPD is an “overlay” zone that is laid on top of existing zoning districts.
“Basically, it allows you to put together a plan that includes both residential and commercial uses,” he has said.
But he has noted that no use is permitted in the MUPD that is not allowed in the underlying district.
So, on a motion offered by Alderman Thomas McGhee and seconded by Alderman Jon Crisp, the board unanimously passed an ordinance on final reading that re-zones from B-2, General Commercial, to R-4, High-Density Residential, 39.36 acres on which apartment units will be constructed.
At its March 9 meeting, the board approved an Outline Plan for the MUPD, which shows how the development will occur and where everything will be located.
It was originally submitted to the commission, which reviewed it at three meetings and approved it on Feb. 17.
Goforth has said it includes a Site Plan and a Phasing Plan, as well as plans for landscaping, grading, drainage, utilities and the conditions stating what uses and densities will be permitted.
Phases 1 and 2 will consist of apartment units, and Phases 3-5 will be General Commercial uses.
Phase 6 will be a senior care facility, and Phases 7-12 are uses permitted “by right” in B-2 zoning.
Phase 13 will be for open space and stormwater detention.
Goforth has noted that, under the maximum density of the 39.36 acres, 590 apartment units could be constructed. But the developers are planning only 408, or approximately 10.36 to the acre.
“It’s our opinion that the multi-family will not create any type of incompatible use at this location, existing or proposed,” he has said. “In fact, this type of residential and commercial development can really work well together.”
Goforth has said the businesses will be a “draw” to the apartment residents, who in turn will be customers for the businesses. And he has noted that a planned “trail” system will allow the residents to walk or bike to the stores and restaurants.
