COLDWATER, MI — The Coldwater Planning Commission will meet on May 12 to consider two special use permits to allow construction of a Chick-fil-A at 450 East Chicago St. and a mixed-use recreation center/grocery store at 410 N. Marshall St.
Chick-fil-A
Developers intend to build the popular fast-food restaurant after demolishing the former Rite Aid on U.S. 12.
This request follows an earlier denied appeal by Leslie Accardo of PEA GROUP to the Zoning Board of Appeals to permit a drive-thru overhang on the existing building.
Zoning Administrator Robert Hawley recommends that the proposed design meet all city ordinance requirements for the restaurant’s special use permit.
The design features entrances and exits on Michigan Avenue, south of U.S. 12, with a double-lane drive-thru encircling the 1.5-acre lot and a proposed 4,472-square-foot restaurant with a small dine-in area.
A Fishbeck and Associates traffic study projects nearly 3,000 daily trips, with two-thirds occurring after noon and 1,700 attributable to the new business.
Chick-fil-A franchises are usually locally owned and employ 15 to 20 people.
Locally Market
Kev Kor Enterprises, LLC, and Wisch Enterprises III, LLC are seeking a special use permit to allow recreational activities in a multi-use business at the former Food Fare on N. Marshall Street.
Plans include a local market with a bakery and deli, a bar and café in the southwest corner, and an outdoor eating area.
Adjacent to the bar are two indoor pickleball courts, four cornhole courts, an axe/dart throwing area, and a golf simulator.
The restaurant will also feature a coffee, ice cream, and soup bar near the entrance.
Darrell Hoag, representing the developers at the April 20 city council meeting, said the development will resemble a Horrocks-type store like the one in Battle Creek.
The city council approved a 50% tax abatement for 12 years and granted an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate.
Brothers Kevin and Korey Wischmeyer purchased the grocery store in October 2021.
The OPRE proposal outlines a $3 million makeover of the 40,000-square-foot building.
With the special use permit, work is expected to begin in June on over 16,000 square feet of market space and 10,000 square feet of recreation space.
Jessica Johnson is also seeking a permit to establish a Group Child Care Home at 88 North Sprague Street.
Hawley stated all three projects comply with city zoning ordinances.
The meeting was rescheduled from 5:30 p.m. on May 4 to 4:30 p.m. on May 12 to meet public notice requirements.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: What are Chick-fil-A’s Coldwater, plans?
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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