City council discusses obstacles facing restaurant development

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It seemed like the biggest story of the year for Kokomo. It drew more interest than battery plants. It was talked about more than anything than perhaps the 2024 elections. Chick-fil-A is coming to Kokomo.

Or is it?

After months of waiting to sink teeth into tasty chicken sandwiches, Kokomo residents are wondering why the first shovel of dirt hasn’t broken ground for the restaurant, which is planned for construction in the Hobby Lobby Plaza along U.S. 931. So, what’s going on with it? The Kokomo Common Council discussed the development at its meeting on Dec. 9.

Council member Crystal Sanburn ignited the discussion with a question during the council’s caucus before its regular meeting.

“I don't know what's going on, but I’ve had five or six people stop me,” said Sanburn. “I’ve had phone calls about this silly Chick-fil-A situation. I'm tired of telling them that it's this, it's a state infrastructure issue. Do you have suggestions on what else I should say?”

Kokomo Plan Commission Director Greg Sheline was in attendance at the caucus, and he addressed Sanburn’s question. Chick-fil-A is still coming to Kokomo ... probably ... he thinks.

“There are three entities involved in it, okay?” said Sheline. “There's Sandor, which actually owns the little strip mall, right? There's Chick-fil-A, and there's Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby is concerned. It doesn't like the way Chick-fil-A has the site laid out because they think it's going to bring more traffic by their store, which, in a way, I think would make sense for them. But Hobby Lobby seems to be concerned about the safety of people crossing the parking lot.”

City of Kokomo Director of Development Wes Reed chimed in on the matter as well.

“I believe there is a parking agreement between Hobby Lobby and Sandor they are trying to make sure is followed,” said Reed.

Sanburn followed her initial question by explaining she had been contacted by the owner of the Summit Salon Academy, which is located next to Hobby Lobby in the Plaza.

“I got cornered by the gal who owns the hair place there, the beauty school, and she said we're going to take her parking,” said Sanburn.

Sanburn said the beauty school desires 100 parking spaces to accommodate the business. A few council members balked at that number, and Councilman Matt Grecu related statements about parking and access from nearby residents given at the plan commission meeting earlier this year where Chick-fil-A’s arrival was approved.

“The one lady in the neighborhood tells us that people park in front of her house to go to Staples,” said Grecu. “She said that in a public meeting.”

“People say a lot of crazy things,” replied Miklik.

Sheline brought the conversation back to the delay of the development, explaining it is not a done deal.

“It's up in the air,” said Sheline. “There's negotiation still going on between Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby, and Sandor. Until those situations get resolved, it's not happening.”

“They still want to be here,” added Reed.

The council continued its discussion about access into the plaza, which is heavily restricted for those looking to exit west or south.

“That's why (the city) wants to hook up to the street (Belvedere) that runs along the front and takes them down to the stoplight,” said Sheline, echoing a statement made by Mayor Tyler Moore earlier in the year that the city would open access to that road to accommodate traffic created by Chick-fil-A.

Miklik added that he had heard Chick-fil-A didn't have a prospective owner trained yet, a process that takes up to two years, he claimed. Sheline indicated that this was no longer an impediment.

As of now, Chick-fil-A is approved to come to Kokomo. The company wants to be here. And once the parking and access issues are resolved, local leaders believe it will happen.

Probably … they think.