PLANS FOR NEW SHOPPING CENTER MOVE AHEAD IN COOKEVILLE

A new plan for a proposed retail center at the corner of I-40 and Willow Avenue received three variance approvals from Cookeville’s Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday night.

The new plan submitted by Ken Knuckles of Nashville based Development Management Group, LLC. includes two major retailers, a 128,000 square foot anchor and a 107,000 square foot anchor with a 28,188 square foot garden center. The acreage would also include three restaurants and an outparcel. One restaurant features more than 5,000 square feet.

The board approved several sign variances including a 120-foot sign on Interstate 40 to allow for better visibility due to the topography at the Willow Avenue intersection.

A second variance included fewer landscape beds to divide parking in front of anchor one. The final variable reduced setbacks allow Green Gate Lane as well as a minor setback change on the interstate.

City officials said they’ve been told a full plan for the proposed development could arrive in the next month. The variances are valid for one year.