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Council approves Chick‑fil‑A site plan; Councilperson Freeman records lone no vote
Summary
Coralville approved a PUD‑B site plan and final plat for a 5,207 sq. ft. Chick‑fil‑A with two drive‑thrus and 73 proposed parking stalls; Councilperson Katie Freeman voted no on both measures.
The Coralville City Council on March 24 approved a PUD‑B site plan and final plat that would allow a 5,207‑square‑foot double drive‑thru restaurant at the Lot 2 CFA Addition.
City staff said the site meets city design standards: 90 indoor seats, a 16‑seat patio, 73 proposed parking stalls (the city minimum is 50) and a shared drive alignment with future development to the south. Civil engineer Joe Vavrina, representing the applicant, said the operator/ownership model for Chick‑fil‑A differs from typical franchise arrangements and that the eventual operator could be the same or different from the Coral Ridge Mall location.
A resident questioned whether the extra parking was necessary and urged using available space for more trees and shade. Staff said Chick‑fil‑A’s market demand typically exceeds minimum parking requirements.
Council approved Resolution No. 2026-29 (PUD‑B Site Plan) and Resolution No. 2026-30 (Final Plat). The roll call votes recorded Ayes from Councilmembers Knudson, Huynh and Peterson and a Nay from Councilperson Katie Freeman on both measures; the minutes note "for none of those reasons she is going to say nay," reflecting Freeman’s recorded dissent.
The approved site plan will proceed to implementation steps including final engineering and permitting. Staff noted the project provides 73 stalls where the city code minimum is 50, and that the development includes pedestrian connections and a bicycle rack at the 1st Avenue connection.
