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Board approves Chick‑fil‑A canopy setback and dumpster location variances at Commerce Pointe
Summary
The BZA approved two development‑standards variances allowing a Chick‑fil‑A canopy to encroach 4.2 feet into a 15‑foot side setback and permitting a dumpster enclosure in a front yard, with conditions on support post placement and materials.
The Board of Zoning Appeals for Franklin City approved two development‑standards variances at its May 2025 meeting to accommodate a proposed Chick‑fil‑A restaurant at the northwest corner of Commerce Drive and U.S. 31 in the Commerce Pointe subdivision.
Staff recommended and the board approved a 4.2‑foot encroachment of the drive‑through ordering canopy into a 15‑foot side yard setback so long as only the horizontal canopy overhang encroaches and the vertical support posts remain outside the minimum setback. The board also approved locating a dumpster enclosure in the lot—s front yard area, conditioned on matching building materials and coordinated colors.
The site would be a corner lot within the proposed Commerce Pointe subdivision and is designed to include covered drive‑through canopies for both ordering and pickup, consistent with Chick‑fil‑A—s current restaurant designs. City staff noted the north canopy would sit about 10.8 feet from the property line after the variance. "The only structural encroachment permitted is the horizontal overhead canopy, and the vertical support post for the canopy must be located outside of the minimum 15 foot setback," staff said when presenting the recommendation.
Mike Timko, civil engineer with Kimley‑Horn representing Chick‑fil‑A, told the board the design minimizes encroachment and that the canopy columns would be outside the setback: "The vertical post columns will still be outside of that 15 foot side setback." He said the dumpster location was chosen to avoid disrupting the drive‑through circulation that wraps around three sides of the building and that the enclosure is set back substantially from the right‑of‑way on the side in question.
Staff recommended three conditions: limiting the north setback encroachment to a maximum of 4.2 feet and to only the horizontal canopy element; constructing the dumpster enclosure of the same brick material and color as the primary structure with coordinated metal gates and coping; and keeping dumpster gates closed except for immediate access, consistent with ordinance requirements. The petitioner indicated agreement with the conditions.
Motion to approve the variances with staff conditions was made by Joe Nalley and seconded by John Kemski. The board recorded affirmative votes from Kemski, Nalley, Jason Acton and the chair and the motion carried. No members of the public spoke for or against the petition at the hearing.
The development will proceed through the normal technical review and site development plan process; staff noted the Commerce Pointe subdivision plat is not yet recorded and the site plan remains under review.
