Yonkers Residents Protest Chick-fil-A Project that would Disrupt Quality of Life in their Neighborhood

Yonkers, NY (Feb. 6, 2023) Chick-Fil-A made an application with the Yonkers Planning Board to establish a new drive-thru restaurant at Roxbury Drive and Central Park Avenue in Yonkers NY. Neighborhood residents were almost certain the project was going to be denied because of the known traffic problems caused by the restaurant’s drive thru windows throughout the country. Residents took their concerns to their Councilmember Anthony Merante who represents the 6^th District.

Merante conveyed the residents’ concerns to the Planning Board and has fought vehemently for denial of the project. Councilmember Merante, an announced Mayoral candidate stated,  “We always welcome new businesses to Yonkers. I believe in “Smart Development” that lifts neighborhoods and not destroy them. All too often, the City administration is too anxious to herald a new project without examining the community benefit or harm.  We all would love to have a Chick-Fil-A  in our City but not in this residential neighborhood. I demanded that the planning board deny the project and for Chick-Fil-A to move their restaurant to a more appropriate location. The quality of life of the residents as well as the other nearby businesses are at stake.” 

To everyone’s dismay the project was approved by the Planning Board at their January meeting. However, due to a procedural technicality, Chick-Fil-A representatives must appear again before the Planning Board this coming Wednesday, February 8^th at 5:30 in City Hall.  Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, residents want to make a final public plea to Planning Board Chairman Roman Kozicky to deny this project that they fear will destroy their peaceful residential community. Merante added, “Strong communities build great cities. As mayor I will never yield to the monetary enticements of powerful developers and corporations but always protect and fight for the best interests of our families and neighborhoods.”