Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick says Chick-fil-A has plans to open in Fairfield, but without a drive-thru.

The announcement comes after nearly two years of debate. 

As News 12 previously reported, the property owners of 750 Post Road initially applied to demolish the former Joe's American Bar and Grill and construct a drive-thru Chick-fil-A there in June 2021. 

The Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously denied the proposal in November 2021 due to major traffic concerns.

The property owners appealed the decision. Court records show the property owners recently withdrew their appeal. Instead, Kupchick says they obtained a building permit to renovate the former Joe's American Bar and Grill and open Chick-fil-A without a drive-thru. Kupchick says the permit allows for interior renovations only, which she says don't need further approvals from the Plan and Zoning Commission. Essentially, the property owners can't change the footprint of the building. 

There's also a vacant barbershop on the property. Kupchick says the property owners would need to obtain a demolition permit to knock it down.

It's unclear when Chick-fil-A plans to open. News 12 reached out to the property owners, but has not yet heard back.