It will now be June before Concord Township Council releases its decision on the Royal Farms conditional use hearing. The decision was expected last night, but the township and applicant agreed to an extension.
Concord held the hearing April 18, and state law requires a decision within 45 calendar days after the close of the hearing. That 45-day period would end June 2, which is four days before council’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 6. Township solicitor Hugh Donaghue said during the May 2 council meeting that Royal Farms granted the extension because it wanted time to review the proposed conditions.
Royal Farms wants to build a store on the 1.4-acre lot in the split on Route 202 between Richardson’s Florist and Smithbridge Road. In testimony during last month’s hearing, the company’s chief engineer Jack Whistead said the company plans a 24/7 operation selling gasoline with 16 refueling stations.
Royal Farms is known for selling fried chicken, but the store would also sell, sandwiches and beverages and have a 12-seat coffee bar inside the 4,166 square foot store.
Part of the plan includes highway improvements, such as adding a dedicated right turn lane on westbound Smithbridge at Meghan’s Diner for motorists going north. Another change calls for widening Smithbridge between the north and southbound lanes of Route 202 so dedicated left turn lanes can be installed, according to traffic engineer Nicole Kline.
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.
