The Upper Darby Planning Commission heard applications for two new projects around Bond Shopping Center.
Kravco Company LLC presented plans to demolish a long vacant gas station at State Road and Lansdowne Avenue and to build a 2,385-square-foot Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant.
Amee Farrell, a lawyer for Kravco, said it would include a drive lane for pick-ups, and a patio.
The Upper Darby Planning Commission heard plans for a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant here at State Road and Lansdowne Avenue that includes demolishing the vacant convenience store. (PETE BANNAN -DAILY TIMES)
The application had come before the planning commission in the past to become a Starbucks but that company chose to remain at a location in Bond Shopping Center.
The project would double the size of the former gas station structure and eliminate a driveway. It has been granted zoning relief.
A drive-thru lane is for pick up only, not an ordering lane. All orders are taken through a phone based app or entering the store which will have indoor and outdoor seating.
One commission member said she was happy to see the project, and it was approved to go before the township council.
Down the street at 832 N Lansdowne Ave., a carwash has been proposed across from Cedar Lane.
Attorney Matt McHugh said El Car Wash would demolish the vacant RiteAid pharmacy and build a 3,777-square-foot car wash with driveway improvements, landscaping and stormwater management. The company would place 43 trees and other plantings that would reduce impervious surface size 20 percent.
Vehicles would come into a pay-station kiosk, then go through the car wash building in a counterclockwise direction. After exiting the building motorists could either pull into a vacuum space or leave the property.
Developers said the timeline for the project, if approved, would be demolition within 30 days with seven to eight months for construction. No variances will be needed and the project is compliant with zoning.
Development officials said soap chemicals used are the same as home soaps and the carwash has a filtering system that takes the water used in the washing and places it in tanks then reuses it. Those reclaim tanks are periodically cleaned out.
They noted this lowers demand on water usage and sewage discharge. The building would have an oil sand separator that filters water.
The shuttered Rite-Aid at 832 N. Lansdowne Ave., Upper Darby. (PETE BANNAN – DAILY TIMES)
One resident praised the planners for taking into account pollution, water run-off and providing tree coverage.
That project was also approved, however planners asked for more details on soaps and chemicals when it goes to township council for final approval.
Planners also heard a proposal for housing on a corner lot on Bridge Street, also known as 388 Dennison Ave.
That plan would subdivide the four-tenths acre lot into two lots and construct a 1,660-square-foot two-family semi-detached building with a total of four units. It would be a 32 percent impervious surface with a stormwater plan.
That plan was tabled.