Unity OKs plans for restaurant drive-thru, car lot expansion

Plans for an Eat’n Park restaurant drive-thru window, a used car lot expansion and a bed and breakfast in Unity all have received thumbs-up from the township supervisors.

Township planning director Merle Musick told the supervisors at their meeting this week that Eat’n Park Hospitality Group plans to reduce the size of its restaurant at Mountain Laurel Plaza by 2 feet in order to make room for the new pick-up window and associated drive-thru lane.

The drive-thru lane will be located on the side of the building closest to the Giant Eagle supermarket, with vehicles exiting next to the adjacent Taco Bell restaurant, Musick said. Access to Eat’n Park from the larger plaza parking lot will be consolidated from two entrances to one. he said.

The covid-19 pandemic has placed an increased emphasis on restaurant takeout options that maximize social distancing. Eat’n Park began introducing drive-thru windows at some of its restaurants more than a decade ago.

The supervisors also gave final approval to site plans submitted by Barney Kistler, for a proposed bed and breakfast along Laurelview Drive, and by Airport Auto Outlet, for expansion of its used car lot along Route 981 north of Monastery Drive.

The business intends to develop an adjacent lot to increase the area available for storing its inventory of used cars, but it’s asking to be relieved from the usual township requirement for paving such areas. The dealership plans to extend a drainage pipe as part of the project, but local officials have determined additional stormwater management efforts won’t be needed if the lot expansion remains unpaved.

The dealership also wants to “place fill to provide access to the south side of the property, so workers do not have to walk along Route 981,” Musick said.

Parking rules topic of hearing

The supervisors will conduct a hearing at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 on proposed zoning ordinance amendments that would ease off-street parking requirements for businesses.

According to township Solicitor Gary Falatovich, the current requirements for parking spaces haven’t been changed in many years and no longer match business trends. He pointed to the increase in drive-thru restaurant customers, even before the pandemic.

If all goes well with the required technology, citizens will have the option of participating virtually in the hearing, with advance notice to the township.

The supervisors normally meet at 4:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, but their next session will be shifted forward one day, to Nov. 10, to avoid a conflict with Veterans Day.

Leaf dates, treat night, luncheon slated

• Leaf pick-up dates for township residents are set for Saturday, Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. Residents must call their garbage hauler to arrange for the service and should place leaves in biodegradable bags that are securely tied and left at the curb.

Alternately, residents may drop off leaves at a designated area to the rear of the township building. Leaves left there should be emptied out of bags.

• Trick or Treat Night in the township is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Residents who wish to distribute treats, which should be individually wrapped, should turn on their porch light.

• Tickets for a Senior Holiday Luncheon will go on sale Nov. 1 at the township building, priced at $10 per person. The meal is slated for noon Dec. 3 at Giannilli’s II, along Route 30 westbound, west of the Village Drive intersection.

Area residents age 50 or older and their guests are invited, but space is limited. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 724-539-2546.