BUTLER TWP — The Greater Butler Mart may see two construction projects running concurrently this summer.

The Butler Township Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a land development request for the creation of a Taco Bell in the plaza, and a request for the McDonald’s located in the lot to slightly shift its current location.

Township zoning officer Jesse Hines recommended that the commissioners hear both plans before making their vote on either, because the physical proximity of the buildings will impact one another and the Greater Butler Mart as a whole. For example, while the two projects had parking space plans in their proposals, the overall parking spaces will decrease.

Plans to build a Taco Bell in the plaza have been in the works for about three years, according to the project’s engineer Dave Neill of the EADS Group.

According to Neill, the Taco Bell is to be about 2,500 square feet and have 50 seats and a drive-through window. He said traffic would enter the Taco Bell mainly by Litman Road.

“One of the major concerns to the development of the project was the access to Litman Road and Pittsburgh Road,” Neill told the planning commission. “The majority of traffic would be accessed off Litman Road.”

Michael Takacs, associate with the civil engineering company Bohler, presented the plans for McDonald’s and said the fast food restaurant would be moved to the northeast of its current location, and be about 400 square feet bigger.

Work could begin on demolishing the current McDonald’s and building the new one as soon as July, Takacs said. The downtime between the closing of the current location and the completion of the new one is estimated to be between 110 and 120 days, according to Takacs.

The proposed McDonald’s for the plaza emphasizes the popularity of drive-through restaurants, which grew during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Restaurants are all looking at increasing capacity at their drive-through windows versus parking and going into restaurants,” Takacs said. “The consumer shift is dramatic and it is anticipated to continue that way.”

Neill said construction on the two projects could begin as early as July if the township commissioners also grant approval.

“We do appreciate getting to see development taking place in the township,” said Ron Henshaw, planning commission member.