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Council approves conditional use permit allowing Taco Bell drive‑through on downtown Washington Street, 8‑1
Summary
The Two Rivers City Council approved a conditional use permit for a Taco Bell drive‑through at 1803 Washington Street with conditions including a permit expiration date and a review of traffic controls; the permit applies only to the drive‑through, not to the restaurant itself.
The Two Rivers City Council on Feb. 3 approved a conditional use permit allowing a Taco Bell drive‑through at 1803 Washington Street by an 8‑1 vote.
The permit, as modified by the council, requires that an application for the necessary building and zoning permits be submitted on or before Feb. 3, 2027, or the conditional use permit will be void. The council retained a Plan Commission condition that requires a one‑year operational review to determine whether a right‑turn‑only exit onto Washington Street should be imposed; staff also proposed language allowing the council to impose a right‑turn‑only restriction “at any time during the life of the permit” upon recommendation of the police chief and the Plan Commission.
The public hearing drew several downtown business owners and prospective restaurateurs who said they were not opposed to a Taco Bell in Two Rivers but worried the drive‑through location, directly across from Central Park, would set a precedent for more chain establishments in the historic downtown. “We’re a little disappointed being in right in the middle of the heart the town,” said Melissa Nisen, a resident who lives at 130 Park Road. Justin Olmos, who said he is opening Popstart Pizza, told the council he feared the drive‑through would change the town’s “picturesque” character. Gina Kran, owner of Cool City Brewing, said she was “not opposed to a Taco Bell” but believed the proposed location was not right for the downtown.
Councilmember Adam Mohoski, who made the motion to approve the permit as recommended by the Planning Commission with the manager’s modification to use a specific calendar date, emphasized that the conditional use applies only to the drive‑through portion of the proposal. “I just want to make sure that everyone's aware that the conditional use is only for the drive through,” Mohoski said, adding that the council’s decision would not by itself prohibit construction of the restaurant without a drive‑through.
Councilmember Mark Bittner cast the lone no vote. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tim Petrie and passed 8‑1.
The Plan Commission recommended approval at two January meetings and attached conditions to mitigate traffic and operational concerns. City staff noted the developer indicated during review that a right‑turn‑only requirement would not be a deal breaker. The applicant’s supporting letter from an individual identified as Heller was noted as part of the record.
The approved conditional use permit limits the council’s current action to allowing the drive‑through component in the B‑1 Business zoning district and includes the dates and review mechanism noted above. Any future amendment to require an immediate right‑turn‑only exit would require a recommendation from the police chief and the Plan Commission and an action by the council.
The council thanked speakers who attended the hearing and reiterated that other downtown design and zoning efforts remain available for the public to pursue through Main Street, the TRBA and the Plan Commission.
