Nearly seven years after first showing interest in building in Bowling Green, Applebee’s is back.
The restaurant chain is looking at the same acreage at 1175 S. Main St., near Home Depot on the south edge of the city.
A variance requested by the restaurant chain will be discussed at the Bowling Green Zoning Board of Appeals’ April 12 meeting, at 7 p.m., in the city council chambers.
Matt Lewandowski of Lewandowski Engineers, on behalf of Applebee’s, has requested a variance to allow the construction of a new building, which would encroach 15.5 feet into the 20 foot required rear yard setback to the east of the property. Variances are also requested to allow parking to encroach one foot into the five foot required setback to the north and to provide 52 off-street parking spaces, rather than the required 59.
The property is already zoned B-2 general commercial.
Back in June of 2016, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar showed interest in making Bowling Green its new neighbor.
The restaurant contacted the city’s planning director, Heather Sayler, who worked with an Applebee’s representative to find a location for the restaurant. Sites along East Wooster Street near Interstate 75 were considered, but the restaurant chain seemed more interested in the South Main Street location, closer to U.S. 6 traffic.
