Chick - Fil- A Appeal

CFA DTO Appeal -  Appeals were filed for the approval of Chick-fil-A (CFA) Drive Thru Only (DTO) in Arnold, south of the Sunoco on Rt 2. APC is NOT an appellant, but has been following since the community meeting in August 2021. While APC supports CFA in general, it strongly encourages them to find another site for their first DTO not only in AA Cty, but all of MD. 

• This is the 2nd development application for the Arnold site (just south of Sunoco on Ritchie Highway) before Route 50.

• The CFA Community presentation at Broadneck Highschool in March of 2024, consistently emphasized the Drive Thru Only (DTO) design of this site.  However, plans call for 40+ parking spots for this site.

 

• The MD State Highway Dept traffic study for this site per their procedures, was conducted between 9 - 5PM during the school year.  AACO Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) acknowledges that CFA locations attract larger traffic volumes.  However, no CFA DTO traffic metrics exist in AACO or the State of Maryland to analyze associated with this site right off Route 50 prior to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

 

                            > Tax impacts to adjust local infrastructure that is already over saturated – unknown. 

 

• Environmentally, AACO processes for this site if approved will have trees planted at another site to mitigate the loss of trees cut down to support this development. 

• Environmentally, related to the water displacement associated with the paving of this site, a high residential concern for the residents of Ashcroft exists based on water discharge given other water run off issues from local developments already impacting Ashcroft. 

• Safety – No AACO OPZ concerns related to increased response times by the Arnold VFD associated with new traffic volumes/impacts related to this development site.  

• Safety – No AACO OPZ concerns related to the traffic “cut thru” risks to Arnold Manor, Pines and Winchester residents related to traffic avoiding Route 2 & Route 50 back-ups.  This local “cut thru” route also crosses three school bus sites for these communities. 

• Safety – No AACO OPZ concerns related to the lack of Bicycle & Pedestrian access  However, the very frequently used B&A Trail is only 75’ feet from this CFA site. 

• Who are the 175’ appellants to this development?  Arnold Manor, Ashcroft, two Arnold Station Businesses (Arnold Professional Pharmacy & Traynham Jewelers) and 18 LLC a consolidated family ownership for properties located behind the Arnold Station Shopping Center. 

• What can you do? 

        >  Attend the September CFA Board of Appeals hearings.

        >  Support your local CFA representative or become a new community CFA representative to create community petitions against this development.

        >  Consider a contribution to the GO FUND ME to counter CFA’s paid Attorney’s and Expert witnesses (ex. Traffic Engineer).