Plan Commission approves similar-use request for Popeyes drive-through on East Main Street

The Menomonee Falls Plan Commission voted on Sept. 9 to approve a similar-use request to allow a Popeyes restaurant with a double drive-through on a vacant parcel on East Main Street (tax key 7.9880.005).

Planner Amy Bennett summarized that the property is part of the Main Street PDO-2 district where restaurants are a permitted use but drive-throughs are not. Under the PDO-2 code, the applicant sought a similar-use determination for the drive-through; the Architectural Control Board reviewed the proposal on Aug. 26 and recommended approval to the Plan Commission.

During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about adding additional drive-through businesses along Main Street and whether a national chain would be compatible with the village’s redevelopment goals for the corridor. One commissioner said they did not support another drive-through in that location; other commissioners said the national chain could draw traffic that benefits neighboring businesses.

The commission also discussed landscaping and buffering to shield headlights from nearby properties; staff said the ACB and site plan review will address specific landscaping and screening details and that the applicant will return to ACB for final design and signage.

After debate, the Plan Commission approved the similar-use request. The commission record shows support from the ACB and staff; the commission vote was recorded in the meeting minutes as a favorable action. The approval allows the applicant to proceed with site plan review steps, including ACB follow-up on landscaping and final signage designs.