ZBA postpones drive-through restaurant variance; board asks petitioner to revise dumpster location

The Warren City Zoning Board of Appeals on July 23 postponed consideration of a petition to allow a drive-through restaurant in a C-1 zoning district at the property listed as 3914 Mile (applicant Abdullah al Safi), after extensive discussion about the proposed site plan and the dumpster location.

Applicant representatives said they would use the existing building and that a grassed parcel behind the building is under the applicant’s control. The board and staff explained the city’s ordinance historically required chain-link fencing around drive-through restaurant properties; board members noted that requirement is outdated and often not implemented. Much of the July 23 discussion centered on the planned dumpster location: several members said the dumpster and early-morning service calls (garbage pickup) placed adjacent to residential lots could create a nuisance. Board members recommended the petitioner relocate the trash enclosure to the side near the neighboring commercial property if possible.

Planning staff clarified that the site plan had received conditional planning approval and that the ZBA’s authority is to act on the variance request (drive-through use and fence waiver). Several board members said they would prefer to vote in favor only if the petitioner submitted an amended site plan moving the dumpster; others argued the board should not condition a variance on a change to an already-approved plan. After discussion the board voted to postpone the matter to Aug. 13 so the applicant could return with a revised site plan. The roll call on the postponement was 5–2 in favor.