Pataskala approves conditional use for restaurant with drive-through; developer to design traffic signal at John Rees Parkway and Broad Street

The Pataskala City Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 14 approved a conditional use application (CU-24-2) from Q3 Acquisitions to allow a restaurant with a drive-through on a 1.22-acre portion of a 3.43-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Broad Street and John Rees Parkway.

City planning staff reported the site is zoned General Business, which permits drive-throughs as a conditional use, though the city’s future land-use map recommends residential (single-family) for part of this area. Staff noted the applicant updated its narrative to commit to design and install a traffic signal at John Rees Parkway and Broad Street, and to work with the city on study, design and construction to meet city and state specifications. Staff also summarized engineering and public-service comments that the developer must address, including concerns about the proposed access point’s proximity to an intersection, potential need for a traffic impact study, stormwater detention, backflow prevention and a grease interceptor on sanitary service.

An applicant representative, Jerry Royce of Q3 Acquisitions, said the company agreed with staff recommendations and committed to follow the traffic study process and to design the signal with radar detection and battery backup. David Parker, head of construction for the applicant, confirmed the developer would work with city staff on the site plan and intersection improvements.

Several residents spoke. Heidi Jenkins, 412 Alonzo Palmer Street (identified in the meeting as a resident of the Settlement of Pataskala), said she was concerned a signal alone might not address traffic queuing and turn-lane issues and asked for a traffic impact study so the city could evaluate whether additional measures are required. Jenkins told the board she experienced long queues turning westbound at the intersection and worried increased traffic from a drive-through would affect neighborhood access.

Board members discussed findings of fact required for a conditional use and agreed the conditions — including that the applicant address comments from the city engineer, public service, Pataskala utilities and planning staff, and complete the conditional use within six months under section 1215.09 of the Pataskala Codified Ordinances — would manage the listed concerns. A motion to approve CU-24-2 with those conditions passed on a roll-call vote; the board recorded unanimous affirmative votes from members present.

After the vote staff told the applicant to proceed to the next step in the planning process with the understanding the city will inspect and require construction plans for the intersection improvements and signal before final approvals and occupancy are issued.