Plans for Popeyes moving forward in New Kensington

Plans for a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen are moving forward in New Kensington.

The city’s planning commission on Tuesday approved the land development plan for Popeyes without conditions, City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti said.

The restaurant specializing in fried chicken and shrimp is proposed to be built in the Giant Eagle plaza on Tarentum Bridge Road. It would be in the space that is now part of the parking lot near the road, between the existing GetGo gas station and a building housing a Subway and other businesses.

City council earlier this month approved Kensington Tarentum LLC’s request for a subdivision for the project. It created a lot just under 1 acre for the 2,455-square-foot Popeyes.

Scarpiniti said the developers will next need to appear before the city’s zoning hearing board, which would have to approve a special exception for the restaurant’s drive-thru.

It will go before the zoning hearing board within 30 to 45 days, city engineer Tony Males said. The board meets as-needed.

The board is scheduled to hear a variance request for a car wash that is part of a development proposal for the former Kmart site nearby when it meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at city hall, 301 11th St.

After that, because the Popeyes development was determined to be a major traffic impact — 1,000 cars a day — it must go in front of city council for final approval, Scarpiniti said.