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Wednesday, January 07, 2009 10:16 AM Checkers restaurant gets Planning Board OK By Rochelle Moore | Times Staff Writer The Wilson Planning Board looked favorably Tuesday night on the addition of a new Checkers restaurant to Gateway Plaza shopping center. The board voted to recommend to the Wilson City Council a conditional use permit that would allow the restaurant to open in the shopping center, which is at the intersection of Forest Hills Road and Raleigh Road Parkway. Along with the permit, the board approved a variance from the city's zoning rules that would allow the addition of handicapped parking that is not adjacent to the building. Instead, a handicapped parking space will be adjacent to an outdoor patio seating area and accessible to restrooms at the rear of the building. The business design includes two drive-through lanes on each side of the building that will exit the property into the Home Depot parking lot. Board member David Wilhelm said he was concerned about traffic congestion near the site and asked if the N.C. Department of Transportation could study whether a traffic light should be added at the shopping center's entrance off Forest Hills Road or whether a right-in, right-out entrance would be necessary. Board member Edward Jagnandan suggested that city planning staff discuss the issue with DOT and other city staff. Jagnandan added that a traffic light already exists on Forest Hills Road next to Home Depot and closer to Forest Hills Middle School. The shopping center also has a light along Raleigh Road and another at the intersection of Raleigh Road and Forest Hills Road. Barbara Conklin, a Cardinal Drive resident, spoke in opposition of the permit and expressed some concern about traffic flow and the proliferation of fast-food restaurants in the Raleigh Road Parkway area. "I certainly do understand the idea of free enterprise and the fact that this establishment meets all the requirements from planning and zoning," Conklin said. "At some point, isn't the city able to say, enough is enough? The new Cookout (restaurant) is just up the street. This is going to be directly next door to a McDonald's. Burger King is across the street. To me, it just seems that at some point we should be able to say, as a community, we really don't need another one of these types of establishments." After the planning board vote, board member Melanie Womble responded to Conklin's concerns and thanked her for sharing her thoughts before the board. "Our community has a pro-growth, proactive economic development approach," Womble said "It supports new and expanding industries and businesses. So, that kind of conflicts with what you were suggesting, but I did want to make you aware of that. (This is) part of our long-range plans for the city." The variance request involving the handicapped space will be reviewed by the city's Committee for Person's with Disabilities next week and the Wilson Appearance Commission is slated to review Checkers' landscape plan. Those advisory boards to the City Council could make recommendations that would be considered by the City Council. The planning board recommendations will be considered for approval by the City Council during its Jan. 15 meeting, at 7 p.m. in City Hall. rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818 |
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Anonamouse said...
Obviously the Planners haven't looked into what traffic problems would have, are and will occur. Yet someone will eventually be held responsible for that mess.
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Elcid said...Obviously the Planners haven't looked into what traffic problems would have, are and will occur. Yet someone will eventually be held responsible for that mess.
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 7:44 PM
"Hank said... It's preposterous that this city is cluttering up Raleigh Road Parkway first, and THEN trying to come up with a comprehensive plan. Who are they kidding? They are incompetent." I could not agree more. Do they think we are ALL that stupid not to notice?
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Hot-Turning left is impossible most of the time. Turning right is tough during rush hour. I just hope no one gets killed there.
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 1:56 PM
In spite of the clutter & traffic around Hertitage Place, alot of citizens are happy they don't have to go out of town to shop at these new stores. I avoid the area myself, but my wife loves it!
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 10:54 AM
You're right. Turning left out of some of the restaurants is tough sometimes.
Friday, January 09, 2009 at 10:47 AM
