Zone change passes for Chick-Fil-A eatery

Township limb and branch pickup will be in April and May.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- Township trustees have granted a zone change along busy state Route 46 that could make way for a Chick-Fil-A restaurant.
Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to change the zoning within the commercial designation of 0.39 acres near the northeast corner of state Route 46 and Hidden Hills Drive, a private drive across the road from Home Depot.
Atty. Mark Finamore, who represents developer J.T. Management Limited Partnership of Howland, told trustees that the partnership owns the parcel and has an option to purchase 1.23 acres directly on the corner of Route 46 and Hidden Hills.
The 1.23 acres just north of Hidden Hills would be combined with the 0.39 acres the partnership owns so there is enough land to build the restaurant and drive-through.
Finamore said the restaurant would have two accesses, one through a proposed curb cut along Route 46 and off Hidden Hills.
Atty. David Daugherty, who represents the eight homeowners in the neighborhood through their Hidden Hills Property Association, said Hidden Hills is a private driveway maintained by the association.
Finamore argued that there is an easement to use the driveway to the property in question and Route 46.
Daugherty argued that there is no easement and the issue will most likely end up in a lawsuit.
Trustee Rick Clark said that the easement question is between the association and developer and has no connection to the zone change.
Other action
In other business, trustees agreed to hire Shereen Khanuja as a summer intern at $7 an hour.
It was announced that the one-time spring limb and branch pickup will be April 24 and May 8.
For those living east of North Road, the pickup will be April 24; and for those living west of North Road, including those along North and streets off it, it will be May 8.
Only trimmed and pruned branches will be picked up. No wood with roots will be accepted. All limbs six inches in diameter and smaller must be placed with cut end facing the street. No firewood or large logs will be picked up.
yovich@vindy.com