Progress

January 22, 2009

Commission OKs Sonic at ex-KFC site

Most of new restaurant will lie in W-B Twp., but 1,100-square-foot section of parcel is in city.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – The city planning commission on Wednesday approved a plan that will help bring a Sonic Drive-Thru Restaurant to Wilkes-Barre Township.

Joe Jaworski, of Dynamic Engineering, Chester, N.J., presented the plan to the board on behalf of NEPA Burgers Inc.

Jaworski said the restaurant is planned for the former site of Kentucky Fried Chicken near the entrance to the Wyoming Valley Mall. He said the township council approved the plan last week.

Construction could begin in February, Jaworski said, and the business is scheduled to open in May or June.

The parcel to be leased by NEPA Burgers totals 39,000 square feet, 1,100 of which are in the city. Jaworski brought drawings of the proposed restaurant for the board to review.

The Oklahoma City-based chain has more than 3,000 restaurants nationwide. By the end of its fiscal year on Aug. 31, 2008, it had opened 169 new drive-ins. The publicly traded company offers made-to-order meals delivered by car hops on skates.

The local franchise will have a drive-through, 22 drive-in stalls for customers with car-hop service and outdoor patio seating.

In another matter, the board approved a plan revision to the Coal Street Park complex. The new building to be built on the site will be designated as “leasehold,” which is necessary for the city to obtain title insurance and have tenants in the building once it is subdivided.

The building will have an ice rink that will be the official practice facility of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and home to the team’s corporate offices. Mayor Tom Leighton said other retail and commercial tenants will occupy the rest of the building.

Also, the city zoning hearing board unanimously approved a variance for Gerald Malishchak for a property he intends to purchase at 57 S. Hancock St. Malishchak operates a ceiling tile business and wants to use the building to store equipment and vehicles.

The two-story building has a first-level access from Lanning Lane and second-level access from South Hancock Street. Malishchak said he would not operate his business out of the building; he would continue operating in Nanticoke. He said he and his employees would visit the Wilkes-Barre building infrequently.

Susan and Robert Morgans, who live next door, expressed concern about traffic and parking. Malishchak assured them he would be a “good neighbor” and would not block driveways and come and go at odd hours.

John Yencha was elected chairman of the zoning board, William Harvey vice chairman and attorney Charles McCormick was retained as solicitor.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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