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Newbern Planning Commission green lights Taco Bell tract, rejects kennel request
By WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Staff reporter
On Thursday, September 12, the City of Newbern Planning Commission approved plans for building of a Taco Bell in the city, and citing city ordinances on distances from residential areas, refused to make a motion for a vote that would allow applicants Paul and Mary Williams to open a pet kennel business.
Members present for the meeting included Newbern Mayor Pam Mabry, Alderman Tim Ware, Brett Ferguson, Brandon Dodds, Chris Donaldson, and Chairman Barry Little. Newbern City Recorder Jason Roberts presented the items for discussion and votes.
On March 14, the commission had been asked to make a motion, but Roberts noted that the ordinance requires pet kennel businesses to sit at least 1,000 feet from residences. According to Roberts at that meeting, the dog kennel would sit 336 feet from Graystone subdivision residences.
At the September 12 meeting, the commission stated that the ordinance would have to be changed to accommodate the kennels. Dodds noted, “If we change it for them, we would have to change it for everyone.
An actionable item allowing plans for the new Taco Bell in Newbern was approved unanimously with Ferguson making a motion and Ware seconding.
According to the analysis distributed at the meeting, the restaurant will be located at the corner of North Monroe Street and Highway 77. While a driveway cut has to be approved by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the commission expects that approval.
The motion also included a caveat stating that approval is granted “on the condition that the final civil-site plans submitted including grading, drainage, and run-off calculations are approved by our engineer.” The commission expects these matters will be settled with no snags.