Two fast-food restaurants in West Hartford have applied to make significant changes to their facilities, including one that wants to demolish its existing building and erect a smaller one.
Inspired By Opportunity LLC, which leases 331 South Road across from the Macy’s at Westfarms mall, has asked the town to allow it to raze the original 3,220-square-foot Wendy’s restaurant, which was constructed in 1982, and replace it with a 2,680-square-foot building. The proposal would shrink the restaurant from 108 seats to 40 seats, reduce the number of parking spaces from 72 to 34, and add a drive-through window.
According to the application, the new building would be erected on the southern portion of the site along South Road to comply with new zoning regulations for restaurant drive-through facilities. The existing building does not have a drive-through.
The application also states that the building, which is on property that straddles the West Hartford-Farmington line, will abandon and remove its existing septic system and connect to the sewer system in Farmington.
Megan A. Hope, an attorney with the Glastonbury law firm Alter & Pearson LLC that is representing the applicant, was not available for comment.
Just 3 miles east, Chick-fil-A Inc. (CFA), which has a restaurant at 509 New Park Ave., is seeking to reconfigure its existing drive-through lane and make related site improvements. The proposal would change the single-lane drive-through to two lanes and shift some parking spaces.
“Like many restaurant and retail operators over the last several years, CFA has seen a notable increase in customers using its drive-thru option,” the application states.
According to the application, the proposed changes are in line with the building to avoid “any impacts on nearby retailers,” which include an Aldi grocery store, Home Depot and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Amy E. Souchuns, an attorney with the Milford law firm Hurwitz Sagarin Slossberg & Knuff, is representing the applicant.
Both applications are scheduled to be discussed when the town’s Design Review Advisory Committee meets at 4 p.m. Thursday in Room 407 in West Hartford Town Hall.
