Planning department staff presented a public hearing Aug. 4 on a proposed amendment that would allow a limited number of drive‑through facilities in the Town Center “workplace” district along State Route 109 and potentially Route 100. The department asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to take public input; no final action was taken and the item will return for consideration in September 2025.

The department’s representative, Mr. Vinich, told the commission the town center plan adopted in 1996 emphasized walkability and generally discouraged drive‑throughs, with the workplace district currently allowing drive‑throughs only when associated with financial institutions. Vinich said the department has identified frontage parcels on Route 109 between Manchester Road and Route 100 that have generated interest from businesses but have been prohibited from installing drive‑through facilities, and that permitting a controlled, limited number could make some vacant parcels viable for redevelopment.

Commissioners debated how to permit the use. Commissioner Helfrey and others favored allowing drive‑throughs as conditional use permits (CUPs) so the city can impose operating limits — examples discussed included locating windows at the rear of a site, restricting hours and speaker volume, and requiring stacking distances. The department stressed traffic and stacking studies would be required for any proposal; the city would consult its public works director and require a developer‑provided traffic study for projects with drive‑through lanes.

Several commissioners and the mayor said residents want amenities and convenience, particularly seniors and families, and noted that businesses denied drive‑throughs in Wildwood sometimes opened down the road. Commissioners also urged caution: some parcels fronting Route 100 and older workplace lots may be difficult to retrofit for drive‑throughs without careful design. The commission discussed creating a Route 109/100 subcategory of the workplace district that would limit eligible parcels rather than broadly changing the workplace designation citywide.

No members of the public in the council chambers commented; a few Zoom participants were present but did not speak. Commissioner Humphrey moved to close the public hearing; Commissioner Clayton seconded and the commission voted to close the hearing. Because this was a public hearing only, the commission did not adopt any zoning amendment tonight; staff requested written comments and directed the department to return with any recommended amendments and additional analysis.

The commission asked staff to consider: whether to allow drive‑throughs only on specific identified parcels; the pros and cons of using a CUP versus rezoning (C‑8 commercial district was discussed as another mechanism); requirements for traffic stacking and noise mitigation; and whether to extend consideration to additional sites (members mentioned Heatherton Road and larger redevelopment parcels). The item will return for further deliberation at a future meeting.

Why it matters: allowing drive‑throughs could change the character and traffic operations of portions of Wildwood’s Town Center corridor, affect redevelopment of vacant parcels and influence where residents spend retail dollars.

Sources: Public hearing presentation and discussion at the Aug. 4, 2025 Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting; comments from department staff and commissioners.