The Columbia County Planning Commission voted in favor of a proposed Chick-fil-A location at the former site of a Steak ‘N Shake, during its meeting Thursday evening.
Bohler Engineering on behalf of Chick-fil-A, along with property owner ARARAT Miracle LLC, had requested variances at 4329 Belair Frontage Road, a triangular parcel next to I-20 Exit 194, where South Belair Road becomes Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
The fast-food chain’s plans entail razing the vacant Steak ‘N Shake building and constructing one of its own restaurants, more than 2,800 square feet. The store would be one of Chick-fil-A’s experimental new drive-thru only locations.
The variance request seeks to reduce the building setback to 82 feet from the 125 feet required for C-2 General Commercial. This is so that the restaurant building can be placed closer to the intersection, giving space for drive-thru traffic.
“That’s really why we we’re requesting these variances, to increase stacking,” said engineer Nate Fuss, speaking to the planning commissioners on behalf of Bohler. “That’s the biggest thing here. We really want to keep all the traffic off Belair Frontage Road.”
Fuss also noted that Bohler is designing the site around the electric vehicle charging stations on the property, which will remain along with the stormwater pond.
Planning staff recommended approval of the request, with the only condition being that the landscape plan on the site be prepared by a licensed landscape architect.
With no one present opposing, the commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
