Keizer council postpones decision on drive-through restaurants at Keizer Station after residents raise traffic concerns

Keizer City Council on July 7 postponed final action on a proposed amendment to the commercial mixed-use zone for Keizer Station after residents raised traffic, safety and compatibility concerns about locating drive-through restaurants and gasoline stations near homes and a school.

The item would have allowed drive-through restaurants as a conditional use on the east side of Keizer Station Boulevard; council staff said council had previously directed language that would prohibit gas stations and drive-throughs on the east side. Planning Director Witham told the council the current draft ordinance would permit a drive-through restaurant only as a conditional use on the east side of Keizer Station Boulevard; he said traffic consultants for the developer had also suggested the west side might be more suitable.

Residents who live near the proposed development between McLeod Lane and Lockhaven Drive urged the council not to allow a drive-through restaurant at the site. “They did not feel that another chicken restaurant would be help the area,” said Randy Stoltz, who said he knocked on 40 doors and found “about 90%” of those he reached opposed the drive-through because of anticipated traffic. Jan Sykes, who said she lives adjacent to the property, told councilors she feared continuous lines of cars and exhaust reaching nearby homes. “I can’t imagine hundreds of cars running in my backyard all day long,” she said.

Following the resident comments and discussion with staff, Councilor Kohler moved to postpone the matter to allow additional public input; the motion was amended to set a date-certain reopening of the hearing on Aug. 4, 2025, to ensure proper notice and to admit additional written and oral testimony into the record. Planning staff noted that because the process is quasi-legislative and the council previously held a public hearing, reopening the hearing is the cleanest way to include further testimony.

Councilors also asked staff and the planning director to attend a neighborhood meeting planned for the coming week so neighborhood feedback could be summarized for the full council. Council members emphasized the importance of documenting ex parte contacts and neighborhood input so it can be admitted formally if the council later takes legislative action.

Ending: The council set Aug. 4, 2025, as the date to reopen the hearing and review additional public comment; a final decision will come after the record is reopened and staff returns with any amendments.