Piazza Auto Group is still looking to bring two car dealerships — Hyundai and Genesis — to Chadds Ford Township. The applicant presented a sketch plan in July and returned to the Planning Commission for the second time Wednesday evening to get some more input on what the commission thinks and wants to see in order to get a favorable recommendation.
The auto group would need a zoning variance and a zoning map change to allow the dealerships to go in on the west side of Route 202, north of Garnet Ford. It would also need conditional use approval. The location is just north of Garnet, at 1540 and 1550 Wilmington Pike, and the parcels are in two different zoning districts, B and B-1. Car dealerships are not permitted in the B district, and that’s the reason for the requested map change.
If the plan goes through, three buildings would be constructed. Each brand — Hyundai and Genesis — would have its own showroom, while the third building would be a shop for both.
There was a meandering discussion regarding the impact the dealerships might have on nearby residential areas, as well as what benefits, such as trails and open space, there might be for the township. Several Planning Commission members said they are leaning in favor of having dealerships because they are a low-impact use compared to retail shops, but members still have not seen a traffic study or a lighting plan, and commission Chairman Craig Huffman said they still need to see both.
“Come back in January and get a firm opinion,” Huffman said.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
