MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Things are looking up for supporters of the fast food franchise Chick-fil-A who reside in Meridian Township and the surrounding areas.

Chick-fil-A is looking to build a restaurant on Grand River Avenue, located near Meijer. On January 11th, 2016 two Special Use Permits (#15171 and #15181) and a major amendment to a previous Special Use Permit (#15-70141) were up for debate at the Planning Commission meeting.

There was concern voiced regarding the safety of pedestrians, as well as motorists. This concern seemed to step from the idea that the restaurant could potentially impede the flow of traffic, congesting traffic on Grand River. However, it was noted that the traffic consultant didn't seem to have any concern regarding those issues.

Commissioner, Christine Tenaglia supports allowing the Chick-fil-A to build on the property. "I believe this is a good use of the property here and I think they're going to improve the area."

However, not everyone in Meridian Township is excited about the possibility of a new fast-food restaurant.

In an email to the Commission, James Hewitt voiced his opinion. "Filling an open wetland and replacing it with a fast-food chicken store owned by someone who does not really seem all that neighborly, at least not to everyone, does not excite me. This is not the first fast food chicken on Grand River. The last one, Boston Chicken, just up the road, went out of business and sat empty for a number of years."

Hewitt was not alone, other citizens expressed their disappointment in the Township. "We sue a family who has owned pygmy goats, welcome with fan fare a Chick-fil-A, a well known discriminator and are actually thinking of giving a 4.5 million deduction to Campus Village with the biggest yawn of a plan that we've seen in awhile," said, Pam Fraker in an email to the Commission.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are many citizens who do support Chick-fil-A. Hannah Henning voiced her support in an email to the Commission. "Our family loves living in Meridian Township and we're so excited to see that Chick-fil-A is hoping to move in." Henning, a busy mother of four finds the added drive-thru feature a positive addition.

Despite these various concerns the Special Use Permits and Special Use amendment were all voted on and passed by the Commission.