Politics & Government

Nearby: Panera Bread Considers Drive-Through Restaurant at McCandless Crossing

McCandless Council must first vote to ease a restriction on drive-through restaurants along a portion of McKnight Road.

A drive-through Panera Bread Restaurant may be coming to McCandless Crossing, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

But first, McCandless Town council must vote to ease a restriction on drive-through restaurants along the stretch of McKnight Road that borders the fourth and final phase of the McCandless Crossing development.

It is located is on the east side of McKnight Road between Duncan Avenue and Cumberland Road.

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Currently, drive-through restaurants are not permitted along that section of McKnight said Bruce Betty, the township's land-use administrator.

McCandless officials' intent with the 1986 restriction was to prevent high-volume traffic and maintain the character of the stretch, Betty told the Trib. “It's up to council to decide whether or not (an amendment) will detract from that.” 

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Warren, Ohio-based Covelli Enterprises is the largest Panera franchise in the country and has many stores in the Pittsburgh region. However, it has not signed a lease yet to open a Panera in McCandless Crossing, Bob McGurk, project manager for AdVenture Development, told the Trib.

Council will vote on amendment to the drive-through prohibition on March 25.

After hearing from representatives of AdVenture and Covelli, councilwoman Cynthia Potter indicated she would be voting no.

“I am opposed to the plan," she told the Trib. "Despite how you spin it, it's a Panera ordinance.”

Of concern to some council members is what would happen if Panera would decide to leave McCandless Crossing.

Betty told the Trib there are limitations in the proposed amendment, such as requiring the drive-through business to be at least 4,400 square feet, which is twice the size of a typical fast-food restaurant. He said that would make it difficult for most fast-food businesses to occupy the space. 

Five restaurants are planned for phase four of McCandless Crossing, three of which are committed to tenants who've already signed agreements.

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