Chick-fil-A expansion plans on James Island meet resistance | Business

A decision on Chick-fil-A’s request to add a permanent dual-lane drive-thru at its James Island restaurant will have to wait.
The city’s zoning appeals board voted unanimously on April 19 after a two-hour discussion to advance the application to an indefinite date to give the applicant more time to provide additional information.
The five-member committee wants the applicant to consider reconfiguring planned site improvements, clarifying the underground storm water retention plan, detailing the need for additional parking and re-examining plans to see if a large tree can be saved .
They also want the city attorney to comment on the legal definition of double drive-thru, as the restaurant currently has a temporary double drive-thru that may not be permitted for restaurants under the code. from the city.
Many board members did not believe the request addressed an extraordinary circumstance necessary out of the way, but they also said a decision that the current dual drive-thru is not permitted would create a problem. more serious by pushing more customers into nearby streets. .
Chick-fil-A wants to add permanent double drive-thrus to avoid traffic delays on Eugene Gibbs Street, a side road leading to residences. Sometimes customer traffic folds into the heavier vehicle volume on Folly Road.
The restaurateur also wants to expand into land adjacent to 831 Folly Road to ease traffic.
Improvement plans also include gutting the existing kitchen and the restaurant wants to make all the changes at the same time.