JDN Development Corp. hopes to start construction on an Applebee's Restaurant across from Banks Crossing shopping center within a month, now that plans have been approved.

"Hopefully sooner than later," said JDN vice president Van Westmoreland.

The company will build Applebee's and an Eckerd superstore in a commercial subdivision dubbed Fayetteville Retail Center, between Ga. highways 314 and 85 at Banks Road, but previous plans to include a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in the project are off the table.

Stalled by difficulty fitting enough parking on the Fayetteville Retail Center site to accommodate the children's pizza restaurant/fun park, JDN decided to move forward without that part of the project, Westmoreland told the city Planning Commission last week.

The Planning Commission approved the firm's overall development plan for the property, which includes the Applebee's, plus three more restaurants as yet unnamed. Development plans for the free-standing Eckerd were approved earlier.

As part of the project, drivers in the area may face delays as Banks Road is widened to five lanes, plus turn lanes and other improvements on Hwy. 85. "I imagine we'll have to move traffic around during the construction process," said Westmoreland, but he is unsure how much disruption there will be. "It will be done in concert with the city," he added.

Also included in the plan is a traffic light at Hwy. 314 and Creekwood Trail, using a driveway into the development that will be shared with the property to the south.

A new Waffle House restaurant also is on tap for the city's south side. Commissioners approved development plans for the restaurant at 760 South Glynn St. The restaurant will be on the east side of Hwy. 85, just north of Ramah Road.

Another restaurant, Steak 'N Shake, will be delayed another month. Thomas Enterprises plans to develop the restaurant on a small parcel just south of Fayette Pavilion, between Roberds and Rent-All Plaza, but asked that the Planning Commission delay action on its development plan until its February meeting.