Planning commission approves Chipotle drive‑through, adds mobile‑pickup signage condition

The City of Big Bear Lake Planning Commission voted 5‑0 to approve a conditional use permit and tentative parcel map that would allow a Chipotle drive‑through and a second drive‑through pad at 42167 Big Bear Boulevard.

Nathan (staff member), who presented the project for planning staff, told the commission the proposal includes a two‑lot subdivision, a Chipotle tenant on Parcel 1 and a second drive‑through pad as a phase‑2 building on Parcel 2, shared access and parking between parcels, and landscaping and design elements intended to meet the city’s mountain‑theme standards.

The commission’s approval followed a lengthy staff presentation, testimony from the applicant and technical review by the city’s consulting engineer. The commission added a condition requiring wayfinding signage that identifies the drive lane as mobile pickup (mobile ordering) rather than a traditional walk‑up/order‑at‑the‑window drive‑through.

Why it matters: The site is adjacent to the Stater Brothers shopping center and WorldMark timeshares on a busy corridor. Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns that queuing at a drive‑through could spill onto Lakeview Center Road, a private access road that serves the shopping center; staff and the applicant said a traffic study and operational measures by the tenant would limit that risk.

Details: Staff described the property (APN on file with planning) as zoned C‑2 (Commercial General) and said the project meets zoning setbacks, parking and design standards. The plans provide 54…