Representatives of Chick-fil-A, the national chicken-based fast-food restaurant, met with Olympia officials Wednesday morning to learn more about what will be required of their new location.
The Atlanta, Georgia-based company proposes to bring a restaurant to Capital Mall in west Olympia in the area of Cooper Point Road and Capital Mall Drive. It also happens to be the same location of an existing restaurant: Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse.
Wednesday's meeting was with the city's site plan review committee, otherwise known as a pre-submission conference, in which city officials provide guidance to developers on permitting requirements and the development process before they submit a formal land-use application.
"We really want to follow the rules and do the right thing," said Steve Schwartz, who identified himself as the development manager for the Chick-fil-A project. "We're excited about this project, we really are, and I hope it all comes together. Looking forward to working with you all."
Once again developer representatives said they intend to demolish the existing restaurant on the site to make way for a new Chick-fil-A that measures just under 5,000 square feet with two drive-thrus.
The site is currently home to 142 trees, although that number would be reduced to 62, said Estefania Escamilla, a consultant working on behalf of the developer.
"Many of the trees are not in good health," she said.
Some of what the city will expect from the project:
— The proposed building will receive a staff-level design review because it's smaller than 5,000 square feet, Associate Planner Paula Smith said. Any larger and it would go before the city's design review board, she said.
— The proposal does not require a public hearing, but there will be a neighborhood meeting, Smith said, giving those in the area a chance to see the plans for the project, ask questions and bring up any concerns.
— As part of the building demolition process, Chick-fil-A will have to apply for a demolition permit with the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency and that agency will want to know whether there are any hazardous materials associated with the structure, said Olympia building official Erik Jensen.
Meanwhile, the proposal has come as a surprise to Fujiyama owner Charlie Kang, who said again Wednesday that he still has two years left on his lease with the mall.
Despite the Chick-fil-A proposal, his restaurant remains open for business, he said.
And it has been a good business, Kang said. He has run the business for eight years after buying it from a previous owner in 2014, he said, adding that he has had no problems with Capital Mall, his landlord. He has reached out to the mall about his lease but hasn't heard back from them, he said.
The mall's general manager could not be reached Wednesday.
"I want to stay," said Kang about his current location. He also expressed some frustration, saying Chick-fil-A is a national company that can build just about anywhere, so why do they want build where his business is?
"Please don't kill my business," he said.
