GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Plans fell through for a Chick-fil-A on East Beltline after the Grand Rapids Planning Commission rejected it over its drive-thru window.
The commission voted unanimously Thursday to deny the proposal because of the drive-thru, saying that they worried the fast food restaurant would run counter to the “village” aesthetic they’ve been establishing for the area.
The restaurant was planned to replace the former Fajita Republic near Celebration Cinema North. The application said it expected the business to employ up to 70 part- and full-time workers.
City Planning Director Suzanne Schulz says the goal of that part of East Beltline is for people to be able to park their cars and walk around the shops. She added that commissioners didn’t want the presence of a drive-thru to encourage other fast food places from entering the area.
In Gaines Township, construction is underway for another Chick-fil-A restaurant, which is expected to open early 2017.
