The Medport Diner building in 1979 was moved to Route 70 in Medford from Route 70 in Cherry Hill, where it once was the Ponzio's diner.
The Medford zoning board on Wednesday night voted unanimously to allow a developer to take the first step toward the demolition of the Medport Diner on Route 70.
Board members ruled only on whether a variance should be granted to J&J Development Group LLC of 701 Route 70 in Marlton to build a Chipotle Mexican Grill with a drive-up, pick-up-only, window about 150 feet away from an existing Popeyes restaurant's drive-through lanes.
Local zoning law requires them to be at least 1,500 feet apart.
J&J Development will need to return to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for site-plan approval for the project, which also includes space for three retail tenants.
If all is approved, yet another traditional New Jersey diner will be destined to disappear.
The Medport Diner building was the original Cherry Hill Ponzio's diner on Route 70, but was moved to Medford in 1979 to become the Medport when Ponzio's expanded. Before Ponzio's moved into the old building in Cherry Hill, it was the Ellisburg Diner.
Representatives of J&J Development told board members that they have reduced the size of the full building to 11,955 square feet from the original plan to build 13,905 square feet. The Chipotle would occupy about 2,400 square feet.
Only two members of the public questioned the project in testimony before the board, with one asking where the older people of the community will gather, suggesting a new diner be built on the site.
However, Moorestown lawyer Gary Zangerle represented the owners of the shopping center next door that includes the Popeyes. He told the board that some details of the project were received by him in only the days leading up to Wednesday's meeting and he asked that the decision be postponed until the March meeting. The board did not do so.
Carl Gross, one of the owners of the neighboring shopping center, objects at Wednesday's meeting to the plan to replace the Medport Diner with a Chipotle and three retail outlets.
Carl Gross, one of the neighboring center's owners, told the board he objects not only to the Chipotle, but to the whole project.
"Are we putting in too much on this site?" Gross asked the board. The Medport Diner's 2.2-acre site uses easements on Gross' property for access from Route 70 and from Old Marlton Pike.
A February 9 report based on the developer's application in 70and73.com disclosed the plan to raze the diner and incorrectly reported that the Chipotle would take advance orders only.
J&J Development representatives explained to board members that the drive-up window would be pick-up only for orders made remotely, such as through the Chipotle app.
But customers also would be able to order inside the restaurant and seating would be provided inside and outside for those who wanted to eat there, they explained.
Zangerle, representing the other shopping center owners, said his client was concerned about long lines of cars stretching onto the access roads as they wait to pick up their online orders at the Chipotle window.
At other Chipotles with a similar setup, an average of two to four cars typically wait at a time with the maximum about six, according to the J&J Development representatives.
J&J Development offered deep detail on the project, such as the frequency of deliveries and trash pick-ups, that normally would have been disclosed during the site-plan approval process.
"We appreciated that they've gone this far," zoning board Chair Salvatore Cocivera told fellow board members.
The Medport Diner property is owned by Pandora HC LLC of Mount Holly.
Plans for the site of the Medport Diner, between Route 70 and Old Marlton Pike. The size of the project has been reduced to 11,955 square feet.
