A Montessori school in Detroit has lost its legal fight to stop a Chick-fil-A restaurant being built just feet from its playground. The Giving Tree Montessori School filed a lawsuit in June against Chick-fil-A and developer Verus Development Group, arguing the construction violates city zoning laws that ban fast-food restaurants within 500 feet of schools.
However, the school was not officially registered as a school until June 2024, two months after the Chick-fil-A was approved. An emergency motion to halt construction was denied, and the lawsuit was dismissed. Despite “No Chick-fil-A” signs outside the school, construction is proceeding and expected to be completed around October.
School owner Renee Chown expressed concerns about noise, pollution, and safety. The construction has forced the school to fence off and reduce its playground to prevent debris from striking children. Some families have withdrawn their children for the 2025-2026 school year, and plans for additional outdoor areas have been delayed.
Chown said police were called at least twice because heavy equipment was placed dangerously close to students playing outside. She also noted gaps in the fence that could allow a child to slip into the active construction site. Developers say the restaurant will serve up to 1,700 cars daily and generate $10 million in annual sales.
