By Bill Short
The Millington Municipal Planning Commission has unanimously approved a design and Site Plan submitted for construction of an Arby’s restaurant at 8620 Highway 51 North. Commission members took the action during their Dec. 17 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Mike Caruthers and seconded by Brenda Barber. Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, said Arby’s is proposing a “new version” that has brick and “a lot of white” on it. He noted that the restaurant will be located at the corner of Veterans Parkway and Highway 51, “just below the little cemetery there.” Although the company is “actually buying the corner,” Goforth said it will have to construct a “subdivision” to separate that property from the remaining property. “Once the Arby’s is developed there,” he said, “they’re actually going to have a little lot north of them for a smaller building to go on it.” Goforth said the restaurant will have approximately 30 feet of frontage on Highway 51 and 86 feet on Veterans Parkway, with twice as many parking spaces as the city requires. The Site Plan shows a driveway on Highway 51, and the company will have to construct curbs and gutters there. Goforth said a “joint driveway” is proposed on Veterans Parkway that will serve this site and the “balance” of the shopping center that will be developed there. “The level is actually being raised substantially,” he noted, “just to get it up closer to road level, especially on Highway 51.” He recommended that the commission approve the Site Plan with the following conditions: (1) The state of Tennessee must approve any driveways, curbs, gutters and sidewalks in the state right of way. (2) Veterans Parkway must be restriped to extend the left-turn lane east of the proposed driveway. (3) All parking spaces for 60-degree parking must be 19.5 feet deep. (4) Handicapped access must be maintained along the sidewalk north of the building. (5) Parking bumpers may be needed, because “overhanging” cars could be a problem. (6) Larger trees than dogwoods should be considered along Highway 51 away from the overhead utility lines. Goforth said Arby’s is “OK” with all of the conditions and is “working to accommodate” everything that the city has requested. During discussion shortly before the vote, Caruthers said the company should also provide lighting at the entrance and exit driveways.
Goforth said the city’s engineers have reviewed the Site Plan and submitted comments regarding the need to connect to the sewer, water and storm drainage systems.
