There’s a new downtown Fort Mill restaurant planned. Here’s what we know
A long-time Fort Mill auto garage could be home to the next new downtown restaurant.
Durban Development of Charlotte has applied to rezone the former Coleman’s Garage site across from Elisha Park. The 314 N. White St. address is less than an acre.
Stated plans in the application to rezone the property are for a new restaurant. Immediate attempts to obtain comment from Durban Development were unsuccessful.
Transitioning the vacant auto garage property into a restaurant would require approval from the town historic review board.
Failed zoning attempt
Zoning changes at that site have been tricky in past years.
In 2015 owner Wallace Coleman asked for a zoning change that would’ve allowed expansion at what then was an auto garage leased to Fort Mill Automotive. A property sale to Fort Mill Automotive hinged on the potential expansion. Town officials held out more than a year on the decision that ultimately never allowed expansion.
The issue was that property use around the garage had changed since the 2,100-square-foot building went up in 1956. Coleman’s, which also includes a car wash on site, didn’t fit the zoning.
The property had been just across from the Springs mill, but now that site is Elisha Park. The town came up with new zoning guidelines. Those guidelines took out the general industrial zoning Coleman had sought.
Property uses match
Now the request is for a local commercial zoning.
That would match zoning for several surrounding properties owned by Springland Associates, including The Springs Company headquarters beside the garage. The town planning commission will hear the request Tuesday night. A recommendation will go to Fort Mill Town Council, for a final decision.
The developer will be responsible for road improvements on N. White in front of the potential restaurant. The developer, per a proposed agreement with the town, will study the site with town and state transportation department officials to see if pedestrian access improvements will be needed for customers from Elisha Park.
Downtown restaurants have increased in recent years. A collection of them on Main Street include Hobo’s, Local Dish, The Improper Pig, Emmet’s Social Table and Amor Artis Brewing.
The zoning change could come to town council for public hearing and an initial vote by Oct. 11.
