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Coldwater zoning board denies setback variance for proposed Chick‑fil‑A at 450 E. Chicago St.
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Summary
On March 18, 2026, the City of Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny a request to reduce the front‑yard setback from 25 to 15 feet at 450 East Chicago Street, a proposed Chick‑fil‑A site, citing lack of unique property conditions, traffic and stacking concerns and the potential to set an adverse precedent.
On March 18, 2026, the City of Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny a nonuse variance that would have reduced the front‑yard setback from 25 feet to 15 feet at 450 East Chicago Street, the vacant former Rite Aid property proposed for a Chick‑fil‑A drive‑through.
City staff opened the hearing by summarizing the application and advising the board it must find all five of the ordinance’s criteria in the affirmative to approve a variance. Leslie, the applicant’s representative, described the proposed site plan and said the setback encroachment would be limited to a canopy cantilever rather than building columns or menu boards. Leslie said the plan was shaped to maximize drive‑through stacking and curbside pickup, and noted the proposed plan shows roughly 40 stacking spaces: “So right now, we’re showing 40, and the ordinance requires 6,” she said, describing the site as sized to accommodate pickups, delivery drivers and walk‑in customers.
Board members questioned circulation, sightlines and whether the irregular lot is truly unique. Multiple members said the lot is similar to nearby sites and does not meet the ordinance’s uniqueness standard; one member said granting the variance could allow future tenants to place building corners or posts close to the right‑of‑way. Another member raised traffic‑safety concerns at the intersection adjacent to Michigan Avenue and US‑12, saying collisions have occurred there in the past; staff said traffic and circulation will be reviewed in the planning commission/site‑plan process, but that the presence of a drive‑through triggers the special land‑use review.
After discussing the five findings of fact, a board member moved to deny the variance as not consistent with the findings of fact; a second was made and the motion carried. The motion specifically described a requested 10‑foot variance to reduce the front‑yard setback from 25 feet to 15 feet at 450 East Chicago Street. Staff said it will follow up in writing: “I will send you an email with a letter, and then we can move forward from there,” the staff member said.
Why it matters: The board’s denial stops the setback change that would have allowed a drive‑through canopy closer to the sidewalk and right‑of‑way. Board members said the decision preserves setback expectations for the zoning district and avoids creating a precedent that could allow future structures to encroach on the front yard.
What’s next: The applicant may revise site plans and pursue further approvals (site‑plan review and planning commission action) if they decide to continue. Staff will issue a denial letter and the applicant was advised about next procedural steps.
Sources: City staff presentation and the applicant’s project description as presented at the March 18, 2026 Coldwater Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
