The Greeneville Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday discussed plans for a new restaurant that Greeneville Building Official Jim Snyder said is causing some concerns.

The restaurant is planned in the former location of Shipley's Body Shop on North Rufe Taylor Road.

The restaraunt's owner intends to serve alcohol at the site on property adjacent to a church, Snyder said.

As a result, Snyder has received numerous phone calls about the plans, he said.

Subdivision of the 1.55-acre site into two lots was given administrative approval by state planner Ronda Sawyer prior to the meeting. These administrative approvals, allowed by state law for smaller one- and two-lot subdivisions, are later reviewed by the planning commission.

Snyder said Melvin Underwood, the property's owner, requested the subdivision to provide a buffer between the site and church property.

Snyder noted that the church and the proposed restaurant site have adequate distance between them to allow the sale of alcohol at the restaurant, according to requirements listed in the town's ordinances.

The required distance from the two buildings is 200 feet, according to the city's regulations.

"This meets that requirement under the beer ordinance," Snyder said of the plans.

He said Underwood plans to make changes in parking at the site, which would have to be submitted on a site plan for the commission's approval.

Also, Underwood would have to apply for a beer permit, which would require approval by the Greeneville Beer Board.

In other action, the commission approved a rezoning request for 11.71 acres on Harlan Street.

The property is owned by the same owner of adjacent property where HBL Enterprises' sales office is located.

A landscaping business is being operated on the adjacent site on East Andrew Johnson Highway.

Bill Onkst, of Azimuth Engineering, said the plans are to use the property on Harlan Street also as part of the existing landscaping business.

The rezoning request was from R-4 (high-density residential district) to B-4 (arterial business district).

Snyder said the plans include a buffer that would protect the one adjacent residential property.

The rezoning request requires a public hearing and consideration on two readings by the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The planning commission gave final approval to a site plan for five apartment units and a community room on Light Street.

The plans include a total of 3,356 square-feet on a 0.627-acre site.