MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A new business is coming to Meridian Township.

Popular fast food franchise, Chick-Fil-A is planning to build a new restaurant on Grand River Avenue near Leo's Lodge and Meijer.

According to Peter Menser, Meridian Townships Associate Planner, Chick-Fil-A filed a permit with the Township that includes three different special use permit requests.

That includes drive-thru window access, building on a previously zoned shopping area and a floodplain use permit.

"We've been talking to them, I think since late winter, early spring of last year. That's pretty common actually..." Menser says.

Menser says Chick-Fil-A has a format that they follow to make the building process easier however, Meridian Township has stricter zoning ordinances.

"We have a very specific set of standards that we expect out of companies to come here if they want to build here because it's a great community. We expect them to provide a high quality product for access to this market," Menser said.

He also said the proposed site is a 4700 square foot restaurant with indoor seating and some outdoor seating on Grand River Avenue.

Now that Chick-Fil-A had filed their permit, Menser says he's required to notify the businesses around the proposed site according to the Michigan Planning Enabling Act.

"That requires the Township and and other municipality to provide notice to surrounding property owners when a project comes in."

Under the act, Menser is also required to submit an ad in the local paper when the hearing for the Planning Commission will take place. Then, the Planning Commission will hold a formal meeting regarding the three special use permits.

"This would be the first freestanding Chick-Fil-A in the state of Michigan," Menser added.

"It's really amazing that this area really pops. We just have extraordinary demographics and those are the kinds of things that continue to bring new projects here."

Menser says that if the Planning Commission approves their special use permits, the project would then move into site plan review, which includes a very detailed review of the business' needs.

"Realistically I can see them breaking ground, in this potential scenario where everything works out, in the spring," Menser added.