Fat Mama's given OK to work

By Mary Hood (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, May 15, 2008

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Preservation Commission gave Fat Mama’s Tamales the go ahead Wednesday to begin work again — on some things.

The restaurant came before the board for the second time in recent weeks to discuss plans at their Canal Street site.

The planning department issued a stop work order on May 1 because construction work taking place was not in line with site plans that were approved by the preservation commission.

The next day roof vents were placed on the building despite the stop worker order that had been issued the day before.

At a meeting last week the preservation commission compiled a seven-point list of issues it had with the construction.

After going through the list, representatives of the restaurant said they would review the items and look to see what improvements could be made.

Wednesday night, all the issues were addressed and some were resolved.

The commission and the restaurant still haven’t come to a conclusion about the roof vents.

Fat Mama’s will have to come back before the board with a plan to screen the vents or rotate them in a manner that is not so unsightly to neighboring properties.

The board had also requested that the heating and cooling units placed in the back of the restaurant — close to property lines — be moved to the south side of the building.

Restaurant representatives said they did not want to move them, but would look at a way to shield them.

Architect Johnny Waycaster, who was representing Fat Mama’s, said he wanted to screen the units with lattice, but Commission Chairman Marty Seibert requested they look to use vertical board screening around the units.

She said the same method was used at Magnolia Hall and it would blend in better at Fat Mama’s.

The design and length of the restaurant’s surrounding fence and landscaping plans will also need further review by the commission.

The restaurant can go ahead with plans to pour concrete. Both sides agreed to tint the concrete to prevent it from being too bright.

The oak tree on the neighbor’s lot line will be respected, and the green space at Washington Street will remain green and open.

Both sides said they were in agreement that things were taken care of in a very pleasing way.

Mimi Miller, whose property is affected by the building, said she was happy with the way the meeting was conducted.

Commission member Fred Middleton said he was pleased as well.

“I feel like everyone is involved in working in the spirit of cooperation,” Middleton said.

Commission board member Tony DeAngelis said the board tries to help not hinder.

“It’s not our position to be punitive or dictatorial, we’re trying to make it all work,” DeAngelis said.

The meeting never officially adjourned because Fat Mama’s owner David Gammill said he wants to get back to work as soon as possible, so he will try to present the plans for the landscaping, fence design, roof vents and air conditioning unit screens to the board as soon as possible.

He said he hopes to do that by the end of week.