BELLEFONTE — At this week’s Centre County Board of Commissioners meeting, Planner Christopher Schnure of the Planning & Community Development office presented a PowerPoint outlining a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between a developer, Benner Township and the county for a new Chipotle restaurant at the Shoppes at Paradise in Bellefonte.

The proposal includes a Final Plan submission detailing the development of a 2,325-square-foot Chipotle restaurant along Benner Pike (State Route 150), sandwiched between the newly constructed Giant and McDonalds.

Describing the purpose of the MOU, Schnure explained, “It’s a three-party agreement between the township, developer and county, in which the developer agrees to use the township’s engineer for reviewing, processing and inspecting the plan.”

He clarified that the commissioners were not approving the plan, but rather the contract for the reimbursement to the township by the developer.

Schnure added the restaurant will be located across from the non-signalized, right-in/right-out entrance on Benner Pike at that site.

The plan was developed by PennTerra Engineering, Inc., a full-service, employee-owned firm, employing engineers, surveyors and landscape architects, with offices in State College.

Phase 1 of the Shoppes at Paradise development included a grocery store, a retail center and a fast-food restaurant with a fuel pump area. McDonald’s was part of Phase 5, and now, “we’re coming in with Phase 4,” Schnure said.

“It’s really booming on Benner Pike, there,” said Commissioner Amber Concepcion.

The area continues to be a busy spot for business development with several hotels, restaurants and other new businesses cropping up along the strip in recent years.

Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins said he believed a recent traffic study ranked Benner Pike as the third busiest road in the county, highlighting its value as prime real estate.

Schnure noted PennDOT’s traffic studies had accounted for a restaurant at that location, so its development should not negatively impact travel. He also assured that Chipotle has provided “more than enough parking” to meet Benner Township zoning requirements.

“There’s lots of great restaurants and things to do in Bellefonte,” Higgins said, echoing Commissioner Steve Dershem’s opinion that a new Mexican-style restaurant is a welcome addition to the community.

Closing out the conversation, Concepcion suggested opening a dialogue with Chipotle about participating in the county’s work-release program due to its proximity to the county jail.