Hillsborough Approves Chick-fil-A Drive-Thru Off Route 206

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Chick-fil-A is officially coming to Hillsborough.

On May 6, the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the application at the corner of Route 206 and Triangle Road in Hillsborough in a 5-2 vote.

The vote followed extended deliberations on a use variance for a drive-through, along with bulk variances and waivers tied to the site design.

The fast food chain will be demolishing an Exxon gas station at 296 Route 206 to build a brand new 5,400 square foot Chick-fil-A.

The property does not permit restaurants with drive-through facilities.

As a result, Chick-fil-A sought approval of the D1 use variance, 4c bulk variances and nine waivers.

Two members spoke against the application.

"The problem I have is with the D1 variance. This is something that is unique to this property for a drive-through," said the Board member who pointed to the Master Plan that does not allow drive-thrus in that area.

Another board member noted that Chick-fil-A's planner did not explain why this site is particularly suited for a drive-through, as opposed to any other conforming restaurant use.

"Why can't a conforming sit-down restaurant succeed here. Why is a drive-through necessary for this specific site? I would have expected enhanced proof and a lot of attention to detail from the planner on this point. When this is a use that is not permitted, specifically stated not permitted," said the board member.

The application ultimately passed with a long list of conditions.

Those conditions included compliance with the board engineer’s review letter, on-site accommodation of drive-through queuing, continued attempts to secure a permanent cross-access connection to the adjacent Triangle Tropic Shopping Center, stormwater fees, township site visits for parking and traffic operations, a special-event review for the grand opening, limits on hours of operation, anti-idling signage, lighting controls and a requirement that no certificate of occupancy be issued until Route 206 and Triangle Road improvements are completed to the satisfaction of the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the board engineer.

After the vote, a Chick-fil-A representative told the board, "We’re excited to come here to Hillsborough."

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