Target coming to Mt. Juliet

Target has won a variance from the Mt. Juliet Board of Zoning Appeals to allow a sign to be visible from Interstate 40, the first concrete evidence the retail chain is planning an outlet near Providence Place.
Though officials had little to say publicly Tuesday about the retailer's plans, minutes from the March 10 Mt. Juliet Board of Zoning Appeals meeting show Target requested – and received by a 5-0 vote – a variance for what was described as the "normal Target sign in order to be visible from the interstate."
"Target has approved this site conditional to the signage," the minutes add.
"I am happy the board of zoning appeal granted the variance," Mt. Juliet Planner Bobby Franklin said. "It's about three acres under roof. It's a very large retail interest."
The minutes from the meeting twice use the term "critical" – once to describe the chain's importance to Providence Place itself and again to describe the sign's importance to Target.
"This signage is considered critical to Target's final approval … Target is critical to overall success project of Providence Place," the minutes state.
Mt. Juliet Mayor Linda Elam declined to comment Tuesday on whether she's familiar with the retailer's plans for moving to town.
"I wasn't at that meeting. I don't typically attend those meetings," she said.
When pressed by a reporter, Elam admitted she was "hopeful" Target would locate in her city but quickly emphasized nothing has been finalized.
"I haven't seen anything official on it," she said.
Senior Staff Writer Brooks Franklin can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 14 or by e-mail at brooks.franklin@lebanondemocrat.com.