A new retail

center that includes a Quizno's Subs restaurant with outdoor seating has

received approval for variances so it can be moved closer to Ga. Highway

85 to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

The variances

were denied by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, but the City

Council approved the variances last week after hammering out the details

with developer Howard Guthrie.

City staff

had suggested the variances so the stores would be more in keeping with

the concept of the city's Main Street program.

The location

is on Hwy. 85 just south of Merlin Muffler. The site currently hosts a

billboard, which must come down when the site is developed.

The variance

will allow the Main Street Promenade to be brought within 15 feet of the

highway, just like Merlin Muffler. The regular guidelines call for the

front set