HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Traffic concerns were raised over the proposed Chick-fil-A to replace the Exxon on the corner of Route 206 and Triangle Road.
The Hillsborough Board of Adjustment heard professionals for Chick-fil-A testify last week including Vincent Kelly of Colliers Engineering and Corey Chase of Dynamic Traffic.
“How many people here stood at the light at Falcon Road and 206 and sat there waiting for the kid in front of them to finish the text they are sending and you miss the light and you hit the steering wheel because you get pissed off?” asked Tom Beers, a resident. “It’s going to get worse with all that traffic.”
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Beers also noted that there are a number of cities who have had traffic problems following the construction of a Chick-fil-A.
“Chick-fil-A is very aware of the issues we’ve experienced at other sites. That’s what you see as a result of that. Them looking at much larger sites than two or three years ago,” said Chase, who presented a traffic study on behalf of Chick-fil-A.
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Chase added that the proposed plans now include much more space for parking spots and longer car queues.
“They did acknowledge there were some issues in other places and they are taking corrective action to ensure that doesn’t happen here,” said Chase.
The proposed development will demolish the gas station with four service bays and eight fueling positions to construct a 6,100-square-foot Chick-fil-A. Read More: Chick-Fil-A Looks To Replace, Demolish Exxon In Hillsborough
The new quick-service restaurant will offer 102 interior seats, 24 exterior seats, dual drive-thru lanes, and meal order/delivery canopies.
Other site improvements proposed include new sidewalks, parking, landscaping, lighting, stormwater management basins, and utilities.
The dual drive-thru lanes will provide a stacking queue length to hold around 54 cars. The parking area would offer 70 parking spaces with two electric vehicle(EV) parking stalls.
Concerns were also raised since the New Jersey Department of Transportation(NJDOT) has not yet completed the new intersection which would impact traffic and how Chick-fil-A will adapt to that.
“Chick-fil-A put on record they will not open the store until they know at the time what the improvements will look like and can assess how they are going to operate,” said Chase regarding the NJDOT intersection improvements.
The application was ultimately adjourned to Dec. 4 with Chase returning and Dan Block of Colliers expected to testify.
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