Chick-fil-A is expected to open a second location in Germantown, this one near the traffic signal at Poplar and Forest Hill-Irene.

David Skinner, whose family has owned the land for 90 years, confirmed the rumors Tuesday. Chick-fil-A would not confirm.

Skinner’s application to the Germantown Planning Commission shows he is asking for 3.69 acres to be rezoned from agricultural and residential estate to commercial in Germantown’s eastern corridor.

“No one is going to build a house next to a gas station,” he said, referring to the Exxon at Poplar and Forest Hill-Irene. “I cannot have a roadside fruit stand per city ordinances.”

As a result, he is asking for the zoning change.

Chick-fil-A would have nearly 2 acres, if approved by the city. The rest of the land would be used for a Bank.  The bank already has a building on Forest Hill-Irene, but Skinner hopes when it moves just west of the proposed Chick-fil-A site on Poplar, another business will use the current office space.

The proposed site plan shows a restaurant with a drive-thru that would allow about 30 to 35 cars. Skinner said this would help take traffic off the road, which is a concern for nearby neighbors. This would also be the chain's longest drive-thru in the area, as others range from 17 to 21 cars.

Skinner said Chick-fil-A approached him about using the land to help alleviate the crowds at the existing Germantown location on Germantown Road, the Collierville restaurant and the franchise at Poplar and Massey in East Memphis. The Poplar and Massey location is nearly 6 miles from Skinner's property. The other two are just over 4 miles from the proposed site.

The entrance and exit to the Chick-fil-A will be on Poplar, according to the site plan. The restaurant and the bank will face Poplar, Skinner said. The Exxon will remain at this time.

When his family bought the land in the 1920s, it was going to be used for a subdivision but plans were never presented to the city. Skinner grew up on the land and is keeping some of the land since he and his family recently built a house and tore down the home he had grown up in.

Skinner did not deny he saw personal gain in this plan, but also has addressed concerns and talked with neighbors since Forest Hill-Irene is one lane each way, north of Poplar.

“I’ve watched (Germantown) change from Mayberry to what is now,” he said.

He said he thought the city would eventually want his land for commercial use due to a flyer he saw published by the city.

The city is requesting federal funds to help pay to widen Forest Hill-Irene north of Poplar. The city will know in May if the projects are approved, according to City Engineer Tim Gwaltney.

The rezoning will be presented to Germantown’s Planning Commission Feb. 5. If the commission recommends approval, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will have three readings and a public hearing. The third reading and a majority vote would rezone the land.