Council holds public hearing on adding drive-through facilities as conditional use in I‑1 industrial zone

The Green City Council held a public hearing on Jan. 14 for Ordinance 2024‑14, which would amend Chapter 157, Section 157.085 (Table of Allowed Uses, table 157.085‑1) to add drive‑through facilities as a conditional use in the I‑1 General Industrial District.

Planning staff told council the amendment was requested by an applicant, Skipper Enterprises, which owns industrial land in the city. The applicant originally asked that drive‑throughs be a permitted use; the Planning Department and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended classifying drive‑through facilities as a conditional use. Planning staff said conditional status triggers notification and gives the city more control over site-specific requirements.

Tom Weasy of Skipper Group stated the company was seeking clarity because the existing I‑1 district allows restaurants but the code did not explicitly allow a drive‑through window. He said the applicant appreciates the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation and was available to answer questions.

Council members discussed the kinds of businesses likely to use a drive‑through in industrial zones (restaurants, bank drive‑ups, dry cleaners, and similar drive‑up windows) and emphasized site-design requirements. Planning staff and council members stressed vehicle queuing and stacking requirements intended to prevent backup onto public streets; staff said drive‑through proposals must meet stacking and other criteria to be approved as conditional uses.

Per council rules, the item was only heard and will not be voted on at the same meeting. The ordinance will return for further consideration at the council’s first meeting in February (the transcript indicates a first-reading schedule and that the council must wait one meeting after the hearing).