AP - 2022-041 Project Narrative Varianceesencia Architecture and U rban Design
1743 E. McNair Drive, #200 Tempe, Arizona 85283
www.esencia.org Phone: 480.755.0959
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May 10, 2022
Town of Barnstable
Planning and Development
367 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
(847) 923-4430
Regarding: Project Narrative- Variance
Chick-Fil-A # 3545
155 Enterprise Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
Dear Planning Dept.,
Chick-Fil-A would like to submit the following documents as they are seeking a Variance to allow construction of two
accessory structures planned in the existing drive-thru lane for their existing restaurant located at 155 Enterprise Rd.,
near the southwest corner of Enterprise Rd. and Route 132 (Iyannough Rd.)
The existing parcel is a 1.74 -acre stand-alone pad site currently zoned HB (Highway Businesses) with the SCROD over-
lay district. The fast-food restaurant has been in operation for several years and fully developed per the Town of
Barnstable design standards. The existing 5,493 sq. ft. fast-food restaurant building is located on the east side of the
Chick-Fil-A parcel. Existing site amenities include a dual lane drive-thru, equipped with (2) two-way communication
order point menu boards, and drive-up window offering for take-out food service, illuminated off street paved shared
parking lot, an existing masonry screen wall trash enclosure with metal gates, and an existing outdoor seating area
with a decorative stacked stone veneer screen wall. The property, and street scape are fully landscaped with trees,
turf and shrubbery native to the area. The site was designed and remains in compliance with the accessibility
standards outlined in the American with Disabilities Act. The existing order point menu boards and drive-thru lane
was designed to route traffic around the south and east side of the restaurant building. The east and south portion of
the drive-thru lane and order point menu boards located on the south side of the drive thru lane was allowed to be
constructed beyond the 30’-0” building setback line. There are two main points of entry to this site, a shared traffic
controlled right-in right-out entrance connecting to a shared drive off of Enterprise Rd., and a right in only entrance
drive off of State Route 132. Restaurant operating hours will continue to follow the current schedule, open from 6:30
AM - 10:00 PM Monday thru Saturday, closed Sundays. Holiday schedules as follows, closed Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday, the store will be open on other Holidays unless that holiday falls on a Sunday, in
which case the store is always closed. Peak hours of operation are 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and
4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Chick-Fil-A has seen success with the order point menu boards located in the queuing aisle, and they would like to
install shade structures in the existing drive thru lane to help enhance their operations further. The Face-to-Face
canopy a 1,337 sq. ft. steel shade structure is proposed to be located in the drive-thru lane on the south side of the
property near the existing order point menu boards. This structures overhang would encroach 9’-2” at its deepest
point beyond the existing 30’-0” rear and side yard setback for an approximate distance of 60’-0” as it curves around
the drive-thru. The Meal Delivery Canopy a 695 sq. ft. shade structure is proposed to be installed adjacent to the
existing pick-up window at the east side of the existing restaurant building. This structure would remain behind the
30’-0” side yard setback line along Enterprise Road. Chick-Fil-A is seeking a Variance for relief in setback from Section
240-39. G.(e).[1] and Section 240-39. G.(e) for the Face -to-Face order point canopy.
Chick-Fil-A has recognized that at their sites during peak hours of operation that the existing two-way communication
menu boards cannot process the orders quick enough, at some sites this has led to on site traffic congestion issues, as
esencia Architecture and U rban Design
1743 E. McNair Drive, #200 Tempe, Arizona 85283
www.esencia.org Phone: 480.755.0959
2 of 2
well as vehicles blocking entrances to other business, or even backing up out onto the public streets creating a public
safety issue. To help relieve the issue Chick-Fil-A now requires their Team Members to be out-fitted with Smart
Tablets and work out-doors during those peak hours of operation. These efforts continue to be hampered, as the
weather remains a big factor and employees only are able to work outdoors sporadically.
The purpose of these two canopies is to provide Team Members working outdoors relief of the inclement weather
conditions and aide with traffic safety. Under cover, up to 6 Team Members working at the Face-to-Face canopy can
serve several vehicles at one time. The Meal Delivery Canopy like the Face-to-Face Canopy will have up to 3 Team
Members working outdoors delivering food orders from the pick-up window to the cars waiting in line, this tandem
effort helps provide a quicker service in the drive thru lane, by reducing wait times and allows for the Team Members
outdoors to work longer shifts. Protective striping is applied to the traffic lanes under both canopies to divert traffic
away from the Team Members and help protect the structures from vehicular damage.
Both canopies will be independent open sided free-standing structures at 9’-6” from top of pavement to bottom of
deck, they will be constructed of steel framing, cantilevered beams with caisson footings. The supporting columns at
this site will be framed and wrapped, with finishes matching the existing exterior restaurant building allowing the
structures to remain architecturally harmonious with the rest of the neighboring community. The new canopies will
be outfitted with recessed L.E.D. lighting installed within a premanufactured powder coat finished metal deck. Fans
will be installed to provide relief to the Team Members from the summer heat and gas radiant heaters will be
installed for warmth during the winter season. This slim line design and matching finishes will present the appearance
as if the canopies were part of the original construction of the restaurant.
Chick-Fil-A feels the Face-to-Face canopy satisfies the requirements to warrant and grant the Variance to encroach
beyond the established building setback line, as they feel the intent of the canopies meet requirements listed under
code Section 240-125. and Section 240-126. In summary these two structures will not cause an adverse effect on the
site, will not emit noise or noxious odors, nor add or alter existing drainage water flow patterns, not cause any
flooding or cause a negative impact to the adjacent neighboring properties or cause property to devalue in the
neighborhood. Existing landscaping will not be affected as no trees or shrubs will need to be removed for the canopy
installation, pervious and non-pervious areas will be slightly altered at the Face-to-Face canopy by no more than
.03%. The construction of the canopies will not have an adverse effect on the neighboring parcels as all storm water
from the canopies is directed to drain and daylight on to the existing pavement by the use of internal rain gutters or
scuppers, and will utilize the existing water flow pattern previously designed on the site. The storm water will be
mitigated by the properties existing drainage system already in place. Fire danger is non-existent as the canopies are
constructed of steel.
With Chick-Fil-A being closed on Sundays, the construction of the canopies is a three-phase process. In the first week,
the footings, and underground conduit are installed, backfill of trenching and patching the pavement occurs, the work
takes place starting on Saturday at 10:00 PM and finishes on Monday morning at 6:00 AM. All excess dirt from the
footing and trenching is immediately hauled off the site, so no storm water pollution occurs. During the second week,
steel is erected, roof decking installed, along with the lights, and fans, in the third week, utility connections are
finalized and the C of O is scheduled. Between the construction weekends, during normal hours of operation there is
no impact to the site or adjacent properties as the restaurant and drive thru service remain in operation and the
construction areas are safely barricaded off protecting the public during the duration of construction.
Chick-Fil-A is excited about this proactive opportunity in providing a healthier work environment for their Team
Members as well as help provide public safety before it becomes a matter of contention. We feel the canopies are a
much-needed accessory to this site and we are looking forward to working with the Town of Barnstable Planning
Department staff to help achieve Chick-Fil-A’s goals for this vibrant community.
Frank Gawdun, Project Manager
esencia Architecture & Urban Design
480-755-0959 ext. 121