Planning staff outlines Highway 72 rezoning, downtown redevelopment and 400‑acre MLGW solar proposal

Collierville planning staff gave commissioners a broad update on pending development applications and planning work, citing upcoming rezoning requests, a downtown infill proposal, a large utility-scale solar application and continued work on the town's comprehensive plan.

Jamie, a planning staff member, told the Planning Commission the school system has applied to rezone part of a Highway 72 property so it can site overnight bus parking and maintenance plus a refrigerated storage area for school food deliveries. "They would only rezone the back part to industrial," Jamie said. The application is listed on the town's development activity map and will appear on a future commission agenda.

Jamie said the site of the former Gus' fried chicken restaurant at Center Street and South Street has a demolition path after the Historic Commission found economic hardship, clearing the way for a redevelopment application submitted by Macklemore Realty. The proposed plan would be a mixed‑use building with retail and office on the first floor and 12 condominium units above. Jamie said that project likely will return to the commission in October or November after staff review.

The commission heard that an escape‑room business was approved as part of the consent items on tonight's agenda and will appear on the development map in a future update.

Jamie also described a large solar project submitted by MLGW. "They have submitted for almost a 400‑acre solar project," Jamie said, adding the application would require rezoning and a conditional‑use permit and is still incomplete. The proposed panel arrays and battery backup would connect to the regional grid; the initial application area runs from Winchester down toward Noncona Creek and includes flood‑plain and heavy tree cover in parts of the site. Jamie said the size and vegetation mean the panels may be screened from major roadways but could be visible from Winchester and could require additional landscaping near the gateway into town.

Other items discussed included Oak Hill Phase 5 (a subdivision phase that will connect into the Shenandoah neighborhood and could contribute to future road‑widening thresholds on Shelton Road), and a zoning text amendment requested by McDonald's to address a townwide restaurant parking cap. Jamie said the town is reviewing the McDonald's request and staff is considering a code change because similar parking issues have arisen with several restaurants.

On the comprehensive plan, Jamie said the town has selected a consultant after a competitive process and expects a contract before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Sept. 22. The mayor and board also formed a steering committee of about 25 residents plus two student ex‑officio members; Jamie described ongoing "micro engagements" — small public outreach events at the high school and community events — to collect early public input.

Commissioner Green asked whether staff had received traffic complaints about the new Dutch Brothers Coffee location; Jamie said the town has received questions and that the company made operational commitments (for example, using iPads and taking orders offsite) the town will monitor.

Commissioners were given approximate timelines: Jamie said the Eagles Landing preliminary subdivision plat, originally on tonight's published agenda, was deferred at the applicant's request because of a local sewer issue and staff recommended placing it on the January 2026 agenda. Several pending cases were described as tentatively expected for October or November hearings depending on completeness of submittals and staff review.

The staff briefing provided commissioners with project locations and status; staff directed interested residents to the town's online development activity map for details and plan documents.

The commission did not take new substantive policy votes on the projects during the staff update; several items were noted as likely to return at future meetings.