Chick-fil-A planning Locust Grove location

A variance request in the city of Locust Grove offers new details about a much-requested restaurant building in south Henry County. Chick-fil-A is planning to construct a new location at the intersection of Bill Gardner Parkway and Bandy Parkway.

The new restaurant will be located at the southeast corner of the intersection next to the under construction La Quinta Inn hotel. The property consists of 1.44 acres.

The company has requested a reduction in the building setback requirements from seventy feet to forty feet off Bill Gardner Parkway. This is to allow for sufficient parking on the property and to prevent the drive-thru queue from backing up into the adjourning access road.

The Locust Grove city council will consider voting on the variance request during its meeting on Monday, November 2, at 6 pm. A public hearing about the variance was held two weeks ago with no comments made. Planning staff have recommended approval of the request.

According to planning documents uploaded by the city, the new store will be 4,945 +/- square feet with associated parking and utilities. The restaurant will feature a dual-lane drive-thru similar to other new locations. For comparison, the existing Chick-fil-A at Lake Dow is 4,533 sq ft.

The front of the building will face Bandy Parkway with vehicle access from the south of the property, or from the not-yet-named access road leading from Bandy Pkwy to the new hotel. The intersection of Bill Gardner Parkway at Bandy Parkway may be signalized in the future, but this development is not expected to warrant its addition.

The Bandy property was rezoned to C-3 (highway commercial) in 2008. Development to date on site has included medical offices and the under construction hotel. A new Waffle House is also expected on the property.

An estimated construction start date or opening date for Chick-fil-A is not currently available.

The featured image is of a new Chick-fil-A opening in November 2020 in Douglas, GA. The image may not be reflective of the planned build in Locust Grove.