Wicker, Piper talk Hernando issues on podcast
Photo: The new Whataburger restaurant in Hernando on Commerce Street, west of I-55. The grand opening of the latest addition to the chain is expected to come in mid-November. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Several items came up for consideration at the most recent Hernando Board of Aldermen meeting, some of which was discussed by Aldermen Chad Wicker and Ben Piper on their podcast, The Boardroom Podcast.
An item that was tabled concerned a proposal for a convenience store at the intersection of Pleasant Hill and McIngvale roads. The item was tabled again at initially being presented at the Sept. 17 meeting
The request is for land at the southwest corner of the intersection to be rezoned from AR (agricultural residential) to C4 (commercial).
Piper and Wicker said there was a lot of interest from residents about the project, which could be brought up again at the board’s next meeting on Nov. 5.
Piper said the biggest concern about the proposal is potential for traffic problems.
“It’s a two-way stop, so the traffic on Pleasant Hill just rolls through there,” Piper said. “There’s heavy truck traffic that goes through there from time to time. It would be really difficult to stop that heavy truck traffic there.”
An additional space in the building would be leased out, they said, and several conditional uses have been added that would prohibit businesses such as a tobacco shop, vape shop, or liquor store from locating there.
Piper added that there is money in the budget for a traffic signal to be temporarily erected at the intersection before a long-term solution is determined.
The lot developer has informed the City of the willingness to put a traffic lane from Pleasant Hill to McIngvale to help with traffic there.
Expect further discussion on the project at a future Board of Aldermen meeting.
Wicker and Piper also talked about new restaurants that are coming to Hernando. That includes the new Whataburger being built off I-55 at Commerce Street. Wicker said it was his understanding the grand opening for the new restaurant was to be on Nov. 15.
They pointed to a development going up at the intersection of I-269 and Getwell Road, development that is to include a second Dunkin Donuts in Hernando, A Buffalo Wild Wings Go, featuring wings for delivery and takeout, and a Your Pie Pizza, a Georgia-based franchise similar to a Pyro’s pizza location.
Wicker said the new businesses are coming at a good time for residents located on the east side of Hernando or adjacent areas in the unincorporated county.
“There’s a big population, too, south on Getwell Road, that is not part of the city of Hernando,” Wicker said. “Those businesses are targeting those people.”
The list is added with a new Junior’s Eatin’ House, north of the Courthouse at 2450 Highway 51 South, not to be confused with the old Junior’s. The new one has new owners and the restaurant will feature southern “meat and three” dishes, with down-home friendly service.
