AUSTINTOWN — The popular chicken fast-food chain Chick-fil-A is on track for arrival in Austintown.

Township trustees at a public hearing Monday approved a zoning change for 5657 Mahoning Ave. from agricultural to business, allowing for the eatery to be built there.

The current plan is to put the Chick-fil-A on the property owned by Jeanmarie Delisio and partially on the old Mashorda’s County Gardens property.

Prior to the meeting, only the Delisio property was considered agricultural while the Mashorda site was already classified as a business.

Every surrounding property is also classified for business use, according to a township zoning map.

At the moment, Chick-fil-A has an option on the land until January.

The approval of the zoning change means construction can start next year.

The site has been vacant since the closing of Mashordaás there.

“The Austintown residents have been calling for the last eight to 10 years asking if a Chick-fil-A is coming to the area. I haven’t had one resident call me and tell me, “We don’t want this’,” zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli said. “It seems like the residents of Austintown are really looking forward to this project.”

There were’t many in attendance during Monday’s hearing, but those who were on hand to hear the trustees’ decision didn’t have objections to the proposed change.

Trustee Steve Kent said he anticipates a boost in the local economy. The nearest Chick-fil-A to Austintown is 1110 Boardman Poland Road in Poland.

Read MORE in Tuesday’s VINDICATOR.