Chick-fil-A, the fast-food restaurant famous for its chicken-filled menu, may soon be serving a hearty helping of white meat on Long Island.
Jericho-based real estate developer KOR, which plans to build a 10,000 square-foot drive-through and restaurant in Port Jefferson Station, is set to lay out its plans at a public hearing on Dec. 3 at Brookhaven Town Hall. The developer has already spoken with individual members of the town council and people in the community regarding its proposal.
KOR has also scheduled a meeting with the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association Wednesday night, said the firm’s attorney Tim Shea.
“We think that we have burgeoning support for this application and that once everybody gets a full look at it that we will be successful,” Shea said. He declined to say how long the proposal has been in the works.
Long Island in recent years has welcomed several out-of-state fast food restaurants to Nassau and Suffolk counties, such as Dairy Queen, which had its grand opening in June, and Sonic Drive-In in North Babylon, which opened two years ago with much fanfare.
Rumors first began swirling about Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A joining the fast food invasion in March.
The proposal that will go before the public next month calls for a 5,000 square-foot drive-through and 5,000 square-foot restaurant on Route 347 at the site of a former auto dealership.
A change of zone application was submitted August 5 and architectural plans November 6.
Edward Garboski, president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, said he could not offer an opinion because he has yet to see the proposal. But he did note that “anything would be an improvement at this point.”
“From what I understand it’s supposed to be a beautiful design, beautiful landscaping, [but] I can’t really give an opinion yet,” he said.
“It depends what the community wants,” Garboski added.
Chick-fil-A last year found itself in the middle of the political debate regarding same-sex marriage when its president, Dan Cathy, made remarks against gay marriage. His statements sparked boycotts among gay and lesbian advocacy groups, but also triggered supporters to come out in droves during “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” created in response to criticism levied against the fast-food chain.
The controversy is already on the minds of some inside Brookhaven Town Hall, said a source who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak about the proposal.
“I think a couple of the council people are using that as a way to stop this or fight this,” the source said.
The Brookhaven Town Council will have the final say on the proposal.
