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Compromise reached, but not official
Published Thursday, July 10, 2008
NATCHEZ — City Planner John Lewis and others met Wednesday with Fat Mama’s representatives to come to a compromise on much debated construction plans, but they aren’t divulging details of the conversation yet
At Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting, Fat Mama’s requested a certificate of occupancy, but it was only granted conditionally.
Three issues stemming from the Natchez Planning Commission needed to be resolved between the restaurant and the planning commission.
Two curb cut outs allow entrance to the restaurant from Washington Street and the planning commission desired for those to be blocked with two trees a piece.
The commission also wanted the asphalt between Washington Street and the restaurant to be torn up and converted into green space.
Finally, two parking spaces were missing concrete curbs, which would allow access from Washington Street and the commission requested for those spaces to be blocked off with a chain.
Those who attended the meeting were reluctant to state what the compromises were because they haven’t been signed off on.
They all agreed it went well.
“We had a good meeting with the Fat Mama’s people,” Lewis said. “There’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel.”
City Attorney Everett Sanders said things look like they may be wrapping up.
“I think we have just about resolved the Fat Mama’s problem,” Sanders said. “I think we have worked out an agreement.”
Fat Mama’s Attorney Bob Latham said it went fine.
“I think we made more accommodations than they did,” he said.
Sanders said there’s no way all parties involved are going to be 100 percent satisfied.
“When you’re talking about negotiations, everybody has to give and take a little bit,” he said.
Now that there has been a discussion it has to be put to writing, Sanders said.
Latham said there is still room for disagreement.
“You can discuss something, but once it gets reduced to writing people still don’t agree,” he said.
He said he hopes that by Friday it will be a written document and will be signed off on.
Comments
Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like Fat Mama's food and the Gammills, but if they agreed to change those entrances at the beginning, they should keep up their end of the bargain. It just makes them look bad. Laws and ordinances were enacted for a reason, and upstanding citizens abide by them. That, after all is said and done, is the bottom line.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't see how asphalt was perfectly ok for so many years, but when a new owner comes along they expect them to tear the asphalt out and plant grass. How petty!
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Enough is Enough!!!!!! Leave FAT MAMA's Alone! Let these people make a living. You are right Old GD now these people fighting this thing are getting petty and silly.
Could this be sour grapes because someone else wanted the land for themselves but could not afford it? Come on people MOVE ON!
Posted by dixiebelle (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Leave it to good ol' Natchez to ruin a good thing. David- Bring your business to Vidalia. We'd LOVE to have ya'll. Does this business committee realize the money that Fat Mama's brings to their city? Apparently not, or else they would leave these people alone. Good luck David, hope you get to open soon!!
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you serious froggie? Around natchez BIG money just re-writes the laws or gets them "bent." Upstanding citizens is a hypocracy in natchez, especially for the "upper-class," leave it to them to make people like me and the Gammills to have to jump through extra fences in order to "abide by (their) laws and ordinances."
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