Commission approves So Good conversion of former credit union with drive-through and added traffic controls

The Brentwood Municipal Planning Commission on April 7 approved a revised site plan to convert the former Tennessee Teachers Credit Union building at 1809 Mallory Lane into a fast-casual restaurant known as So Good, subject to staff conditions and additional traffic-control requirements.

John Odom, the architect for the project, told commissioners the existing 4,825-square-foot building would be remodeled and its dome removed. The proposal includes a covered dining patio, a reconfigured parking lot, stormwater detention and a hydrodynamic separator, a new Mallory Lane turn lane, and a drive-through with two service lanes and a mobile-order pickup lane. Odom said the applicant anticipates a pickup-lane stacking capacity of about 18 cars and approximately 64 indoor seats plus covered outdoor seating.

Staff presented five specific conditions of approval and 18 standard requirements, including the need to provide TDEC notice of coverage before grading permits, to show how proposed pipes will connect to existing structures, and to obtain written approval from the City of Franklin for construction within Franklin’s right-of-way before Brentwood issues a certificate of occupancy.

Commissioners focused on traffic operations at the Mallory Lane and Old Nickel Mill Lane approach. Commissioner Travis said the earlier In-N-Out proposal would have been problematic and asked whether the proposed arrangement could lead drivers to circulate through nearby parking lots to reorient eastbound. Kevin Blackburn, City Engineer, and the applicant’s representatives said signage alone may not be sufficient and recommended channelization. Blackburn indicated staff and the traffic consultant supported adding physical channelization in addition to signage to ensure the planned right-turn-only movement was observed.

Commissioner Travis moved approval with the staff conditions; Commissioner Lundgren seconded. The commission adopted the site plan unanimously and modified the staff recommendation to require added channelization and a physical barrier or island to prevent prohibited left turns at the eastbound approach, plus verification of City of Franklin approvals before the certificate of occupancy.

The approval is contingent on standard engineering and permitting steps; staff will confirm City of Franklin sign-off on right-of-way work and TDEC coverage before permits progress.