Commission approves special-use permit for drive-through at 431 E. Laketon with traffic and striping conditions

The City of Muskegon Planning Commission on Aug. 14 voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit to operate a drive-through restaurant at 431 East Laketon Avenue, subject to several site conditions to manage traffic flow and parking.

Planning staff said the site meets the ordinance’s two siting requirements for drive-through restaurants: a required setback of at least 60 feet from any major thoroughfare and ingress/egress points at least 60 feet from an intersection. Staff identified operational items that should be addressed on site plans: reorienting parking stall striping to match the direction of traffic flow and adding a physical measure (a barrier or landscaped median) on the northwest corner of the building to prevent parked cars from colliding with drive-through vehicles.

Applicant Luis (first name only in transcript), who previously operated Kayla’s Tacos, described plans to bring the restaurant back and said he is familiar with the neighborhood. Commissioners expressed concern about stacking and the site geometry; staff said there is adequate stacking space and that alternate curb-cut approaches would push queuing into adjacent streets.

Commissioner motion language required painting traffic flow arrows, repainting parking to perpendicular stalls aligned with traffic flow and installing a barrier at the northwest corner of the building to prevent parking traffic from colliding with incoming drive-through vehicles. The motion passed by roll call.

Staff will monitor compliance with the conditions and the applicant will proceed to obtain required building permits and City Commission approval where applicable.