Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Site Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Findlay planners approve Chick‑fil‑A site plan and conditional use for drive‑through with landscaping variance
Summary
The Findlay City Planning Commission approved a site plan and a conditional use permit allowing a Chick‑fil‑A with a two‑lane drive‑through at 1165 West Trenton Avenue, while granting a variance for landscaping and noting required variances to be reviewed by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The Findlay City Planning Commission on Jan. 9 approved a site plan and a separate conditional‑use permit allowing Chick‑fil‑A to build a 5,222‑square‑foot restaurant with a two‑lane drive‑through at 1,165 West Trenton Avenue.
CPC staff recommended approval with conditions, including that the applicant obtain variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals for a reduced drive‑through setback and a reduction in landscaping, and that the drive‑through meet the city’s setback standard before construction. "CPC staff recommends approval of the application for site plan review SP‑01‑2025 filed by Chick‑fil‑A to establish a new facility located at 1,165 West Trenton Avenue in Findlay with the following conditions," said Matt, presenting staff comments.
The proposal calls for a 5,222‑square‑foot building with 62 indoor seats, 16 outdoor seats and 79 parking spaces. Staff noted the proposed drive‑through lanes loop from the southeast corner around the north side of the building; one portion of the lane would sit 4.43 feet from the east property line, short of the five‑foot setback required by code, and the applicant requested a variance. Staff also recommended approval of a variance for omitting foundation plantings given substantial perimeter landscaping, and supported a one‑tree reduction requested because of an existing billboard on the site. The plans show an underground stormwater detention system that will outlet to an existing downstream storm system and a mobile trash unit that will be screened on two sides.
Engineer Sarah Kramer of Wolpert, representing the applicant, said architectural details such as the outdoor seating surface material would be provided later. "I'll have to get back to you with that material," Kramer said. She and staff explained constraints including an existing billboard and an overhead AEP power line that requires relocation, which limited placement of landscaping and parking.
Several commissioners expressed concern about proximity of the drive‑through lane to an adjacent residence and encouraged additional buffering. Mayor Moran asked that the drive lane be shifted where possible and recommended additional plantings or screening. The applicant representative agreed to explore shifting the lane and to add plantings where feasible.
The commission first voted to approve the site plan motion (names recorded in roll call) with the condition that required variances be obtained from the Board of Zoning Appeals and that the drive‑through meet the setback standard. Roll call recorded: Mary Maroon, aye; Mister Martin, aye; Tom Lipstein, aye; Miss Schroeder, aye; Mister Klinger, aye.
The commission then considered the conditional‑use permit (CU‑01‑2025) for the drive‑through and approved it. The conditional‑use vote was recorded as: Mister Martin, aye; Mister Tremblay, abstain; Miss Schroeder, aye; Mister Klinger, aye; Mayor Maron, aye.
The approvals came with the explicit expectation that outstanding technical items be resolved in plan review and that the landscaping and screening concerns be addressed as the applicant finalizes engineering and construction permits.
Votes at a glance: Site plan SP‑01‑2025 — Approved (conditions: BZA variances for landscaping; drive‑through to meet setback standard). Conditional use CU‑01‑2025 (drive‑through) — Approved (one abstention).
