California burger chain reaches to Guilderland

GUILDERLAND — A new, casual burger restaurant is coming to Western Avenue.

BurgerFi, a chain started in California in 2011, with of mission to providing a better burger, is set to be built at 1229 Western Ave., the site of an old Getty station.

The project was approved by the town’s planning board at its Nov. 10 meeting.

“It is nice to see the site get cleaned up and get a new business in there,” said Stephen Feeney, chairman of the Guilderland Planning Board.

The eatery will be owned by the Lia family, who own the Lia Auto Group; they opened the first BurgerFi in the Capital Region in Latham earlier this year.

William Lia could not be reached for comment.

There are nearly 60 of the restaurants nationwide.

BurgerFi is short for “Burgerfication” and it serves hamburgers made with grass-fed beef, without chemicals, hormones, or additives, as well as hot dogs and fresh-cut fries.

The company promotes recycling and supports local charities.

Feeney said that, overall, the planning board was pleased with the proposal, including the location of the 3,150-square foot building.

“They put the building right at the front, close to the road, with the 35 parking spaces in back,” he said. “Normally, we have to fight for that configuration in the area.”

No one, including members of the public, was opposed to the project, he said, though the planning board did voice concerns about access to and from Western Avenue, which was wide and open.

“We asked them to narrow it and create a standard-access point on the right side,” said Feeney.

He said the board was also concerned about not having seen a complete rendering of the building because it wants to be sure it fits with the aesthetics of the area.

“We want to be sensitive to McKownville,” Feeney said. The board also made some suggestions about the configuration of the patio and landscaping.

Feeney said the engineering company, Bohler Engineering, promised to have a rendering of the building when the proposal comes before the town’s zoning board on Wednesday.

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