Chick-fil-A Grand Rapids

An aerial image of the proposed location for a Chick-fil-A drive-through restaurant at 2183 E. Beltline Avenue NE in Grand Rapids, Mich.

(Courtesy photo | Grand Rapids Planning Commission)

Chick-fil-A, the nation's largest chicken restaurant food chain, proposed a location at 2183 E. Beltline Ave. in Grand Rapids, Mich.

GRAND RAPIDS -- Chick-fil-A, the nation's largest chicken restaurant chain, will not be coming to the East Beltline as hoped.

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday, Oct. 13, to deny the request for a proposed stand-alone restaurant with a drive-thru off the East Beltline at Celebration Village.

Board members cited the area's joint development plan in their decision, adding that the proposed restaurant would be inconsistent to the location's strategy and could be detrimental to the area.

"I think in the beginning there was a vision of what it should be and what it should look like," said Commissioner Tom Koetsier. "I think it has worked out pretty well. There's not enough here to tell me to move away from that original vision."

Chick-fil-A planned to demolish the former Fajita Republic Cantina and replace it with a 4,600-square-feet, 120-seat restaurant located at 2183 E. Beltline Avenue NE. The drive-thru was proposed to hold a maximum of 22 cars.

Commissioners were opposed to a few aspects of the proposal, but primarily the building having a drive-thru. Their main concern was the impact on traffic and the precedent it would set for future development.

Approving a drive-thru restaurant could also redirect the area's focus from being pedestrian-oriented to auto-oriented, according to former City Commissioner Lynn Rabaut, who said it went against the initial plan for the corridor.

"Nobody will tell you Chick-fil-A is a bad business," Rabaut said. "It's a great business. It's all over the place, people love it. Drive-thru restaurants in general, especially free-standing ones, do nothing but create trash and create traffic nightmares."

The North East Citizen Action Association also objected to the restaurant because of the drive-thru.

Jason Hill, development manager for Chick-fil-A, defended the proposal, citing the previous occupant's ability to function without causing excessive traffic congestion.

Hill also highlighted the organization's dedication to keeping the aesthetic feel of the area, and detailed the chain's positive impact on communities throughout the country.

Roger Lubs, a representative of Celebration Cinema, spoke in favor of the restaurant. He welcomed them to the area, and noted three local banks as proof drive-thrus can work in the area.

Chick-fil-A is expected to open close to 20 stores in the state over the next five years. Locations in Lansing and Troy were scheduled to open on Thursday, Oct. 13.