Plan commission backs conditional‑use recommendation for drive‑through at 8355 S. Howell Ave., with limits and later site‑plan review

The Oak Creek Plan Commission on July 22 recommended that the common council approve a conditional‑use permit for a drive‑through serving a proposed multi‑tenant commercial building at 8355 South Howell Avenue, subject to the city’s drive‑through accessory use standards and additional site‑plan and architectural review.

Staff (John) said the applicants proposed a multi‑tenant building with a single 12‑foot‑wide drive‑through lane, one order/menu board and a drive‑through window on the north side of the structure. The applicant estimated about 250 customers per weekday and 300 on weekends, and that roughly 50% of customers would use the drive‑through. Peak stacking was estimated at about 6–8 vehicles; the concept included a 10‑foot‑wide bypass lane and stacking that “meet the requirements as far as stacking for drive thrus,” the staff review said.

Applicant Dylan Tarr introduced himself for the record and said the team “don't have any issues with any of the conditions, and we're happy to answer any questions.” Commissioners asked detailed questions about pedestrian protection and the public frontage. In response to a question about hedges or other protection between the sidewalk and the drive‑through, Tarr said landscaping had not been fully designed but they would “work with staff to address that concern” and that hedges would be “mature height. They're minimum 3 foot tall.”

Several commissioners said they had no objection to the conditional use itself but raised concerns to be resolved at site‑plan review. One commissioner said: “I don't like the fact that it looks like the back of the building is facing Howell and the queue is right on Howell,” and urged that when the project comes back for site review “I don't know that I would support the rear of the building facing Howell.” Another commissioner urged the applicant to “pull that queue and put it off to the side a little bit” so vehicles would not queue directly on the main street.

The commission’s motion recommended approval of the conditional‑use permit with the applicant’s stated operational hours for the drive‑through limited to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and noted that if the commission and common council approve the conditional use the applicant must later return for site and architectural review before receiving building permits. Donnie moved the recommendation; Seifert seconded. The roll call recorded approval and the matter will proceed to the common council public hearing on Sept. 2.

No final tenant or completed site plans were approved at the meeting; the site plan and architectural details — including final pedestrian protection, landscaping, and exact parking layout tied to the retail tenant mix — will be decided at a later review.