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East Lampeter approves Chick‑fil‑A land plan after debate over 6‑ft sidewalk and utility relocation costs
Summary
After more than an hour of technical discussion, the board approved Chick‑fil‑A's land‑development package but split 3–2 on waiver questions tied to the township streetscape standard; engineers estimated $64,000 to relocate a water meter and $165,000 to relocate utility poles.
The East Lampeter Township Board of Supervisors voted March 2 to move forward with Chick‑fil‑A's land‑development application after extended discussion over how to meet the township streetscape standard for a 6‑foot sidewalk.
Civil engineer Richard Scott (speaker 11) presented two primary options. One option would keep the 6‑foot standard by "kinking" the sidewalk around existing utility poles and relocating a water meter and associated domestic/irrigation lines; Scott said the water relocation was estimated at "$64,000" (engineer estimate presented by applicant). The second alternative would relocate three utility poles, an option Scott said is substantially more expensive: "A $165,000 is what we estimated after our coordination with PPL and Verizon," he said, and noted Verizon owns the poles while PPL leases space.
Chick‑fil‑A representatives argued the canopy and sidewalk work is largely to protect team members and improve customer experience; the operation's local manager said the company was "willing to pay it for our team members." The design alternatives include narrowing the sidewalk to 4 feet at pole locations or building bump‑outs/kinks that preserve a 6‑foot pedestrian corridor except where poles intrude.
Township planner and David Miller Associates (DMA) comments were discussed: DMA has encouraged adherence to the adopted streetscape plan and had recommended denial of some waiver requests. After considering staff, DMA, and applicant input, the board took an amended motion addressing multiple DMA items and the sidewalk request. The motion carried on a 3‑to‑2 vote, reflecting a split among supervisors on which waivers to accept and how strictly to enforce the 6‑foot standard along the frontage.
What the decision means: the board's action allows Chick‑fil‑A to proceed with the land‑development process subject to the conditions voted on; the applicant still must resolve final engineering and permitting details (including any water‑main modifications and parking/permit confirmations) before construction permits are issued.
Sources: presentation of engineering options and cost estimates, applicant statements and planning‑staff discussion recorded at the March 2 meeting.
