Chick-fil-A representatives have been trying to find a location in the city for years, and they finally got their wish.
The City Council approved a special use permit for the fast food restaurant to exist in the Highway Corridor Overlay District at the Tuesday, Jan. 23 City Council meeting. Alex Dominguez, of Chick-fil-A, thanked the council after having spent seven years working on finding a location for his company in the city, he said.
“Today is my birthday, and it’s a great gift after seven years,” said Dominguez, who has been with the company for 15 years.
Ruth Gunn, president of the adjacent Foxcroft Colony Condominium Association, said the Chick-fil-A representatives did not give proper notice to them about what their plans were. Jason Heinberg, an Arlington attorney for the applicant, said he linked to the HOA’s president and board through the city’s Web site — which listed outdated contact information — and sent e-mails. Heinberg said he also made phone calls to the information line and never heard back.
“I am deeply disappointed in the lack of outreach that was done,” said Councilmember Jeff Greenfield. “To have a condo project right next door and to rely on something that’s on our Web site … I find very troubling.”
The City Council approved the project anyway but stipulated that the applicant work with both city staff and the HOA to work out any kinks that exist in the plans. Gunn brought up concerns about additional traffic on the access road behind the proposed restaurant — Hume Avenue — and also about a rodent problem already troubling the community. Dominguez promised they would work together and be a good neighbor to not only the Foxcroft homeowners, but the city as well.
City Councilmember Gary Rasmussen was the only member who voted against the project, citing concerns for the number of traffic trips that the Chick-fil-A is expected to generate. City staff analyzed trip generations using the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ manual, and found that the restaurant wouldn’t add a significant amount of traffic on the adjacent streets during peak hours. Staff found that Chick-fil-A would generate about 208 cars during the morning peak, and about 136 cars during the evening peak. But the total of daily trips is estimated to be about 1,704.
“That impact on traffic is going to be immense,” said Rasmussen, citing that the number of trips generated is probably the highest the council has seen on any application in at least 10 years.
Rasmussen said some positives would result from the project, specifically the nice architecture that would enhance the appearance of the area and hopefully encourage more revitalization around the circle.
"This is a huge improvement over what's there," said Councilmember Patrice Winter.
IN OTHER COUNCIL news, members granted approval for another special use permit for Nextel Communications to install 12 communication antennas on the roof of a building at 10555 Main St. — just in front of the county justice complex.
“It’s an important site for Nextel, and we need it soon,” said Ed Donohue, an attorney for Nextel.
The city approved the antennas in 2001, but Nextel wasn’t able to complete the project before the approval expired in 2003. The company re-filed an application in December 2005 and hasn’t pursued the final approval because of design complications with where to house the equipment storage unit. Originally, it was to be at the base of the building, but the building could not afford to give up the additional parking space to accommodate the shelter. An indoor shelter already exists for Cingular’s roof antennas, so staff worked to redesign a location on the roof, but out of sight from passersby.
Council also approved Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance text amendments that will cross-reference the Public Facilities Manual as an “additional source of guidance for the design and construction of certain facilities associated with land development.”