CHESTER, NJ —Chick-fil-A might be looking to expand its Morris County presence.
A new location of the popular fast-food chain was included in a proposal presented to the Chester Borough Council last month as part of efforts to revitalize the Larison’s Turkey Farm property.
The Chester Borough Council previously indicated that they were considering a development plan for the property, which would include dozens of new homes, thousands of square feet of retail, office, and medical space and a new restaurant.
Under a plan submitted by the turkey farm tract owners, Global Acquisitions LLC, in 2018, 20 townhouses and 36 affordable housing units were proposed for the property, a significant reduction from the original plan for 144 units.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Global Acquisitions was unable to fulfill the 2018 agreement. Over the past year, the developer has presented several new ideas to the mayor and council for consideration.
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The latest proposal, presented by attorney Anthony Sposaro and affordable housing attorney Dan Steinhagen, includes plans for Alstede Farms to open a country store and a new Chick-fil-A restaurant on the 27-acre site, which borders Routes 206 and 24.
The proposal also includes the development of 24 affordable housing units, 66 market-rate townhomes at Larison's Corner, to be developed by K. Hovnanian Homes, and 20 luxury market-rate townhomes on Mill Ridge Lane, officials said.
According to official documents, the proposed Chick-fil-A would span approximately 5,383 square feet, with seating for around 92 guests. The proposal also includes plans for approximately 80 parking spots dedicated to the new fast-food restaurant.
The council voted to move the plan forward. Once the agreement between the developer and the Borough is finalized and approved by the court and the Fair Share Housing Center, which advocates for affordable housing in NJ courts, the developer will then present the plan to the Borough’s Land Use Board for review.
The borough noted that this process will take some time, with expectations that it could take at least a year, if not longer.
The owners of the farm, located at the intersection of Rt. 206 and Main Street, have been working to redevelop the property since 2002. In 2008, the property expanded with the purchase of adjoining land on Mill Ridge Lane, where the owners attempted to build single-family homes.
The initial proposal for affordable housing called for a 144-unit apartment complex, including 28 affordable units. Earlier discussions with the borough also considered adding a hotel or convenience store to the property, but those ideas have yet to come to fruition.