Bradenton paves the way for Chick-fil-A on Manatee Avenue. Can site handle the traffic?
The combination of a unique site plan and the commitment of county officials led the Bradenton City Council to approve a new Chick-fil-A restaurant in a congested location.
Developers propose to build the 5,000-square-foot restaurant on the southwest corner of Manatee Avenue and 43rd Street West. The vacant Bank of America facility will be torn down in order to construct the fourth Chick-fil-A in Manatee County.
As an incredibly popular restaurant, council members and residents said they had concerns about the location, especially along 43rd Street West, which is already prone to traffic backup.
“Trying to get out on 43rd, you almost feel obligated to jump out in front of traffic. It’s risky,” said Councilman Patrick Roff.
“It’s a very busy thoroughfare. I think the only day that having a Chick-fil-A there wouldn’t be an issue is a Sunday,” Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey added. “I know my family would be ecstatic to have one closer to where we live. I’m just concerned we’re trying to put 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5-pound sack.”
Chick-fil-A’s site design puts the majority of the 97 parking spaces in the heart of the property. Dual drive-thru lanes, capable of stacking up to 52 vehicles, wrap around the perimeter of the 2.1-acre parcel. Those elements are meant to reduce the restaurant’s impact on traffic.
“We’ve done everything we can to minimize the traffic impacts,” said Michael Yates, a traffic engineer hired to work with the developer on the project.
Current plans allow for two entrances to the property, with one on 44th Street West and another on 43rd Street West, just south of Jessie P. Miller Elementary School’s exit on the east side of the road.
County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who represents that part of town on the Manatee Board of County Commissioners, attended Wednesday’s meeting and spoke during public comment to assure city officials that the county has plans to improve the Manatee Avenue and 43rd Street intersection.
“That intersection, obviously, is fairly congested. That’s something we at the county have taken note of,” Van Ostenbridge said before praising the efficiency of Chick-fil-A restaurants that are able to manage a massive amount of customers.
“This is a great location and a huge piece of property. Who would have ever thought that a fast-food restaurant would have to queue 52 cars in order to make sure traffic wouldn’t back up into the roadway? We cannot punish a business for being too successful,” he continued. “It is the responsibility of the government to make sure the infrastructure meets the demand.”
Van Ostenbridge noted that the Chick-fil-A will likely open before the county can complete the construction required to improve the intersection. He told board members that he plans to prioritize the project when Manatee puts together a budget plan next summer.
“This project will be a Tier 1 project. I promise you that,” said Van Ostenbridge.
On top of the county’s plans to redesign the intersection, the city’s approval includes certain provisions that would require certain changes if traffic does prove to be a concern. A police presence and changes to the drive-thru operation could be necessary, for example.
“If anyone can make it work, it’s Chick-fil-A. We’ve all seen that. Anyone trying to turn left (onto 43rd Street West) is going to back up their whole operation,” said Councilwoman Jayne Kocher. “If they don’t figure it out on their own, I like that we can step in.”
City Council voted unanimously to approve the special use permit required to build the Chick-fil-A. Developers did not disclose a target date for when the restaurant would be open for business.
