An online informational meeting about a proposed Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant in west Olympia that was scheduled for an hour ended 30 minutes early on Tuesday after city officials limited public comment to the project itself.
The meeting, which was hosted by the city's site plan review committee, holds such meetings to answer questions about codes and ordinances and for the developer or applicant to answer questions about the project.
"There have been some community concerns expressed about business practices associated with Chick-fil-A," said Associate Planner Jackson Ewing, "but this is not something that is under discussion at this meeting."
That likely curtailed a number of comments because about 25 people attended the meeting.
The Chick-fil-A has been proposed on Capital Mall property at 2930 Capital Mall Drive SW, the same location as an existing restaurant called Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse. The owner of that business says he intends to move early next year after his lease expires to 1200 Cooper Point Road SW.
The first question of the meeting came from Timothy Leadingahm of west Olympia who wanted to know more about the trees at the development site.
A representative of Chick-fil-A said that 116 trees would remain on the site, 21 would be added and 11 would be removed because most are either unhealthy or dying.
Leadingham's question: How many significant size trees are you removing because they are unhealthy and what is the health problem?
In response, the representative simply reiterated that 11 trees would be removed, 80 percent of which are considered unhealthy or dying.
Still, one man, who identified himself as David B. for the Zoom meeting, was undeterred in his efforts to criticize Chick-fil-A. In his comments, he drew an alleged connection between Chick-fil-A and anti-LGBTQ legislation in the African country of Uganda.
"My question has to do with health and safety," he said. "Given that your organization has donated very heavily to back a death penalty-granting bill in Uganda. How many gay men such as myself do you intend to hang from these trees?"
At that point, David B. was muted. Then, he un-muted himself.
"Excuse me, you don't get to mute me," he said.
He continued: "How many gay and lesbian persons do you intend to murder with the money your organization raises from selling chicken?
That finally prompted principal planner Nicole Floyd to interrupt him.
"I can appreciate where you're coming from but this is off topic for the project," she said.
"Oh, bullshit," David B. responded.
Floyd added: "This really isn't a meeting where we're going to talk about philosophical perspectives."
Although David B. remained muted for the rest of the meeting, he later turned on his video camera and extended both middle fingers to the audience.
It was not immediately clear if there's a connection between Chick-fil-A and anti-LGBTQ legislation in Uganda. What is clear is that past donations made by Chick-fil-A or company executives to anti-LGBTQ causes has not been forgotten or overlooked by the LGBTQ community.
They spoke out after the Lacey-based Chick-fil-A sponsored the city's Children's Day at Huntamer Park. That outcry ultimately led to a sponsorship policy change at the city.
Olympia resident Leadingham also suggested the city have an in-person meeting before the end of the month, claiming that the city's public notice of application was later than usual.
"And now you're cutting off comments on Sept. 15," he said.
Floyd said the city will still accept comments after Sept. 15, but she urged residents to try to meet the deadline.
If you would like to comment on the Chick-fil-A proposal, send them to Jackson Ewing at jewing@ci.olympia.wa.us.
