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Board approves Taco Bell façade variance at 1736 W. Kimberly Road with spandrel glazing condition
Summary
A Taco Bell franchisee received a hardship variance allowing reduced transparency on a north façade that faces a public street; the board approved 20% clear glazing plus 21% spandrel glass between 2 and 10 feet from grade, with staff conditions to meet required transparency on the south face.
The Davenport Zoning Board of Adjustment on Jan. 23 granted Hardship Variance HV 25‑02 to allow a Taco Bell restaurant at 1736 West Kimberly Road to use reduced transparent glazing on a north facade that faces Fortieth Street. The board approved staff‑recommended conditions requiring the south (front) elevation to meet the required transparency and the north elevation to provide 20% clear glazing plus 21% spandrel glass between 2 and 10 feet from grade.
Planning staff told the board that the site is a through/corner lot in C‑2 (corridor commercial) zoning and that the municipal code normally requires 50% transparency on facades facing a public street (measured between 2 and 10 feet above grade). The applicant proposed 20% clear glazing and 21% spandrel glass on the north face; staff characterized the spandrel as material that has the appearance of glass but is not transparent. Staff recommended approval of the variance subject to the two conditions outlined in the motion.
Applicant Shannon Marcus, a Taco Bell franchisee, said the north elevation encloses the back‑of‑house trash and cooler area; the operator proposed spandrel glazing to improve the façade’s appearance while preventing potential safety issues if movable dumpsters or equipment contacted clear glass. Marcus said the applicant has two existing Davenport locations and plans to follow the agreed façade treatment to balance neighborhood concerns and operational needs.
Board members noted that similar corner/through‑lot designs sometimes require exceptions because drive‑throughs and back‑of‑house uses make full transparency impractical. The board agreed that combining clear glazing on the south/front with spandrel glazing on the north/back provides a reasonable visual compromise. The motion to approve HV 25‑02 with staff conditions passed on a roll call vote: Mike Galliard — yes; Bridget Boyd Carlson — yes; John Clafman — yes; Dan Darling — yes.
Staff said they will update plan review records and issue approvals in the ePlan system consistent with the board’s conditions.
