Committee endorses review of drive‑through uses at three Town Center parcels near State Routes 100/109

Paula and planning staff presented background and a parcel map showing undeveloped properties in Town Center and an area near the intersection of State Route 100 and State Route 109 where prior interest from quick‑service chains had occurred.

Staff noted that under current zoning drive‑throughs are permitted only in limited circumstances (financial institutions and a few previously approved businesses such as Starbucks and Panera). Planning staff identified three specific parcels — 17191 Main Street, 17194 Main Street and 2431 State Route 109 — as candidates for review because of their location, pending roadway access changes and a history of prior proposals that faltered because architectural or use restrictions prevented approval.

Committee members discussed keeping any new drive‑through uses focused and tasteful, citing the existing Town Center architectural guidelines and the Planning and Zoning and Architectural Review Board review processes. Members expressed a preference for limiting the number of drive‑throughs (staff estimated two to three, maximum four, at the focused site) and for requiring design standards and screening so queuing vehicles are not prominent on State Route 109.

The committee moved and approved sending the three parcels for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and for staff to prepare a public hearing. The motion expressly authorized Planning and Zoning to consider whether to permit drive‑through uses at those three addresses; it did not automatically change the zoning code.

Staff noted specific past developer interest (Lion’s Choice, Culver’s, Dunkin’ proposed in the area) and that some proposals withdrew over architectural or code constraints. The committee directed staff to coordinate public hearings and bring any proposed code changes back through the formal zoning process.