A new Chik-fil-A franchise location was granted approval by the Yonkers Planning Board this week. After a year in debate, the fast food chicken shop will replace the old HSBC bank located on Central Park Ave.
The primary issue that caused the delay of this approval was in regards to the traffic it could create. While traffic impact studies are required for all approvals of this nature, there was increased scrutiny of these particular plans. Long lines stretching as far as the eye can see are common at Chik-fil-A locations throughout the country.
Council members Mike Breen and Anthony Merante have both been heavily involved with this process. This Chik-fil-A replaces the HSBC bank on the corner of Central Ave and Roxbury Drive. Therefore, it is placed right on the border of the fifth and sixth city council districts. Concerned about the traffic impact, Merante traveled to another franchise location in New Jersey last summer. He discussed with its owner the throughput of the drive-thru and how that effects nearby highway traffic during peak dining hours.
While inefficient jug-handles, illegal u-turns, and dangerous potholes pepper NY State Rte 100 throughout, the planning board saw fit to finally approve this project. There are two other Chik-fil-A locations planned nearby. One south in the Bronx, and another northbound in/around White Plains. The hope is that these additional locations will decrease the demand on the Yonkers establishment and prevent excessive traffic.
Chik-Fil-A will join the menagerie of other cheap eats located on Central Ave. It will be located across from Wingstop and Nathan’s, as well as down the road from the competing KFC and Popeye’s. We expect Mayor Spano to be there at the TBD opening. Just as he was in the September 2022 Chuck E. Cheese ribbon cutting.
Unlike the grand plans the City of Yonkers has to revitalize the waterfront with luxury apartments, swanky restaurants, and beautiful parks – the east side of the city appears to be relegated as a depository fast food drive-thrus and storage unit facilities.
