Planners OK Helena Chemical Co.

By Katherine Center
– The Commercial Appeal –

Collierville’s Planning Commission approved plans Monday night that will bring the headquarters of the Helena Chemical Co. to Schilling Farms.

The international company, now based in Memphis, is looking to build a 104,473 square-foot building between Schilling Boulevard West and Winchester Road.

That plot of land is part of the 458-acre Schilling Farms development that originally was approved in February 1991. When finished, Schilling Farms will include a combination of commercial, office, residential and light industrial uses.

Helena’s four-story building will be offices.

"I think this is what Collierville is looking for," Commissioner Tom Allen said as he made the motion for approval.

Also recommended for approval in Schilling Farms was an 18-acre quad-plex development on the southwest corner of the complex.

The Orchards at Schilling Farms is proposed to be single-family attached residential units. There will be four individual units per building with a total of 88 residences un 22 buildings.

Each residence will be between 1,400 and 1,600 square feet, said Todd McIntosh, representing ETI Corp., and will have either two or three bedrooms. A homeowner’s association will be responsible for maintaining all of the open spaces as well as the pool, clubhouse and private streets.

"We have a bean field out there," McIntosh told the commissioners. "We’re trying to provide something of value to the area."

Both new developments were approved unanimously and must now go before the Design Review Commission and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for approval.