Council approves drive-through conditional-use permit for multi-tenant building on S. Howell Avenue

The Oak Creek Common Council on Aug. 19 approved a conditional-use permit for a drive-through at a planned multi-tenant commercial building at 8355 South Howell Avenue. The applicant anticipates a coffee user occupying about 2,400 square feet and projected daily customers of roughly 250–300; Planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval subject to standard drive-through conditions.

Details: Community Development Director Christie Lane and the applicant described a conceptual site plan that includes a single order menu board, a 12-foot drive-through lane, a 10-foot bypass lane, and stacking for six to eight vehicles (four at the orderboard and four between pickup and order board). The drive-through hours were limited by staff to 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. daily for the drive-through operation. The conceptual plan showed the queue facing Howell Avenue; Planning Commission members raised design concerns about the drive-through frontage but recommended approval of the CUP.

Council discussion and vote: The applicant (landowner Daniel Wasserman) spoke in favor of the proposal and told the council he expected the project to meet the city’s criteria. Engineering staff and council members said the shared access point and right-in/right-out on Howell minimize safety concerns. Following discussion, the council adopted resolution 12607-081925 approving the CUP.

Next steps: Final site and building plans, including any required access or frontage design changes, must be submitted for building permits and to satisfy the CUP conditions. Staff noted that the conceptual design could be refined to reduce the visual impact of the drive-through on the Howell Avenue frontage.

Sources: Staff presentation; applicant remarks from Oak Creek Common Council meeting Aug. 19; Planning Commission review.