By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has passed an ordinance on first reading that would approve a Mixed Use Planned Development overlay district for the Millington Farms subdivision.
Board members took the action during their March 9 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Don Lowry and seconded by Alderman Mike Caruthers. The motion was passed by six affirmative votes, with Alderman Thomas McGhee absent.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for a public hearing and final reading at the board’s April 13 meeting.
The MUPD would be located on 103.74 acres east of the Shoppes of Millington Farms and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. It would 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 proposed MUPD and recommended a zoning change from commercial to residential.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, 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 said.
But he noted that no use is permitted in the MUPD that is not allowed in the underlying district.
So, on a motion offered by Alderman Jon Crisp and seconded by Alderman Bethany Huffman, the board passed an ordinance on first reading that would re-zone from B-2, General Commercial, to R-4, High-Density Residential, 39.36 acres on which apartment units would be constructed.
The board also approved an Outline Plan for the MUPD, which shows how the development would occur and where everything would be located.
It was originally submitted to the commission, which reviewed it at three meetings and approved it on Feb. 17.
Goforth 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 would be permitted.
Phases 1 and 2 would consist of apartment units, and Phases 3-5 would be General Commercial uses.
Phase 6 would be a senior care facility, and Phases 7-12 are uses permitted “by right” in B-2 zoning.
Phase 13 would 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 proposing 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 would be a “draw” to the apartment residents, who in turn would be customers for the businesses. And he has noted that a proposed “trail” system would allow the residents to walk or bike to the stores and restaurants.
