Planning Commission recommends approval for 800 Lititz Pike redevelopment; drive‑through would need separate review

The Warwick Township Planning Commission on March 25, 2026 voted unanimously to recommend approval of waivers and a preliminary/final lot add‑on and land development plan for 800 Lititz Pike, conditioned on ELA Group’s review comments and submittal of architectural renderings.

Township Manager Brian Harris told the Commission the Planning Commission had forwarded a draft text amendment on fast‑food/drive‑through uses in the Local Commercial zone to Lancaster County Planning; the Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the text amendment on April 15, 2026. The applicant’s current submission does not include a drive‑through; if the text amendment is adopted, the developer could return with a Conditional Use application to add a drive‑through.

Chris Cicala, a partner with DTL (the developer), said his family operates a business across the road and described the proposal as an opportunity to do "something special with the property," with a building of stone and brick that will honor Lititz’s Castle Litice. The plan calls for demolition of the existing La Piazza building and construction of roughly 9,000 square feet of tenant space divided into four units, with the northernmost unit intended for a sit‑down restaurant and the remaining spaces for general retail.

Steve Gergely of Harbor Engineering described site changes to support circulation and pedestrian access, including counterclockwise circulation around the building, 60‑degree parking, a widened pork‑chop at the entrance to discourage left turns and unsafe parking in front of handicapped stalls, and a sidewalk/crosswalk connection for pedestrians from adjacent developments. He said stormwater will be managed with modified existing infiltration basins and a larger nearby basin; the submission increases impervious surface by about 3,000 square feet but the revised lot lines would bring the lots into compliance with the Local Commercial zone.

Gergely said the applicant sought three waivers (preliminary plan, surveyed features within 200 feet of the tract, and 6‑inch curbing in lieu of 8‑inch curbing to match existing site conditions) and noted the Zoning Hearing Board had granted variances for front yard build‑to line and landscape encroachments. On a motion by Commissioner Marianne McConnell, seconded by Commissioner Mike Wetherhold, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the waivers and the preliminary/final lot add‑on and land development plan conditioned on ELA’s review letter and architectural renderings.