Iowa City board approves Chipotle-style pickup lane at 21 Sturgis Corner Drive

The Iowa City Board of Adjustment on Feb. 12 approved a special exception (EXC25-0001) allowing a drive-through pickup lane — described in the application as a "Chipotle lane" — for a proposed 2,300-square-foot eating establishment at 21 Sturgis Corner Drive.

The board's approval, which carried on a roll call vote with four members voting yes and one member absent, was accompanied by two conditions recommended by staff: payment of a fee for the cost of a future sidewalk along Highway 6 East (fee to be determined by the city engineer) prior to issuance of a building permit, and general compliance with the site plan dated Feb. 2025.

City planning staff led the presentation and said the applicant proposes to demolish the existing on-site restaurant and construct a new eating establishment with an app-based pickup lane. "The proposed drive through would be a Chipotle lane," Associate Planner Madison Conley said during the staff report, adding the new building would have about 2,300 square feet and an occupancy load of 49.

The staff report reviewed specific and general standards in the city's zoning code for drive-through facilities, including access and circulation, stacking-space minimums, screening, pedestrian safety, and lighting. Staff noted the technical recommendation that a minimum of six stacking spaces be provided; the site plan shows six stacking…