UPDATE: Motwani Margaritaville Overcomes First Hurdle

The Vieux Carre Commission's architectural review committee approved the proposed Margaritaville's design concept, according to New Orleans City Business News.

Tuesday's meeting provided the preliminary approval necessary to move to the next step, which is presenting to the full Commission on April 6. The committee had previously expressed concerns about several issues:

Committee members wanted changes made to the proportions of the building's windows, doors and ceiling heights, according to minutes of their March 8 meeting. Some expressed concern that the ground-floor windows are too tall and that the proportions differ too much from neighboring buildings.

Both the area and developers are no strangers to controversy in years past. At one point, the proposed location at the intersection of Decatur, N. Rampart, and Conti streets was rumored to become a Morning Call, before the actual owners of Morning Call disavowed any and all knowledge of the plan. Also, developer Mike Motwani allegedly set his T-shirt selling eyes on owning the historic restaurant Tujagues.

So settle back with some popcorn and watch as the drama unfolds.