Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drive Throughs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission okays drive-through for Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 189 County Road 6 West
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a final site-plan amendment to add a drive-through window and ordering board for a Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 189 County Road 6 West; the plan removes four parking spaces and relies on private-drive circulation.
The Elkhart City Plan Commission unanimously approved on March 3 a final site-plan amendment to add a drive-through window and order menu board for a new Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 189 County Road 6 West.
City planning staff said the petitioner — an out-lot owner within the Northfield Market PUD — requested the amendment under Section 20.10(b) to add a west-side pickup window and a south-side order board. The change removes four parking spaces from an existing lot that currently provides 33 spaces for the building. Staff flagged a potential concern about peak-hour stacking but told commissioners that any queueing would occur on an internal private drive and not on the public street.
The applicant’s representative told the commission the store is under construction and that the drive-through layout follows the franchise brand’s recommendations for stacking and circulation. The representative said the arrangement provides three cars at the window and four at the menu board per corporate guidance.
Staff reported that 11 letters were mailed and none were returned. There were no public comments at the Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Mishler moved to forward a favorable recommendation; Commissioner Beecher seconded. The roll call was unanimous.
The Plan Commission’s approval is a recommendation as part of the final site-plan amendment process; the item will proceed through any remaining technical review and permitting steps required by the city.
