BUTLER TWP — The plan to bring a Chick-fil-A location to the Butler area is closer to fruition, but it must clear up concerns and receive township commissioner approval first.

The Butler Township Planning Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to recommend moving forward Chick-fil-A’s land development plan for a vacant lot in Butler Crossing to the township’s board of commissioners for final approval.

Currently, there is only one Chick-fil-A location in Butler County, on Route 228 in Cranberry Township. Another location was approved for construction at the Adams Corners shopping center on Route 228 in Adams Township.

According to representatives present at Tuesday’s meeting, the company would look to break ground by summer 2026 and open its doors by the beginning of 2027.

Justin Thornton, an engineer representing the chain, said the property at 660 Butler Crossing would host a 5,000 square-foot brick building, two drive-thru lanes with canopies, parking and an external storage shed.

He said the vacant lot is the last one left in Butler Crossing and was originally designed to host a restaurant.

“You can actually see that some of the curve is built, there’s already inloops on the site. There’s light pole bases already on the site as well. Most of those, we’re not reusing them, we’re going to be doing our own,” Thornton explained to the planning commission.

He said there would be other work done to the lot as well, such as improvements to stormwater mitigation and LED lights that are up to township code.

Concerns were also raised regarding safe deliveries to the property, but Thornton explained that Chick-fil-A does their deliveries overnight to avoid customers entirely.

Tuesday’s motion by the planning commission was contingent on the company clearing up some concerns raised in review letters by the township engineer, Pennsylvania American Water and Butler Township Volunteer Fire District.

“We can address all those comments. We don’t have any issue with any of them,” Thornton told the planning commission.