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Council committee approves narrow exception to permit some downtown drive‑thrus; opponents say it risks urban character
Summary
The Neighborhoods Committee approved an amendment allowing drive‑thrus in limited accessory parking lots for pre‑2008 multiuse buildings by exception. Downtown Investment Authority and Ameris Bank backed the narrow language; several council members warned it could open a wider pattern of suburban development in the urban core.
The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee on March 17 voted 6–1 to approve legislation (Ordinance 20250074) that creates a narrow exception permitting certain drive‑through facilities in accessory parking lots that serve multi‑use buildings that existed before February 2008.
Supporters said the change is limited and meant to help lease vacant ground‑floor retail in older downtown office buildings. "It is a very narrow exception. It is only an accessory parking lot that is accompanying a multi use building that existed in 02/2008 or earlier," Laurie Boyer, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority, told the committee.
Why it matters: downtown officials said the exception is targeted at specific redevelopment needs — for instance, to allow a bank tenant to operate a drive‑through lane within an existing parking area rather than carve new curbside lanes. Opponents said even a narrow exception risks a slippery slope of suburban uses in the urban core and urged preserving walkable, bikeable downtown character.
Committee discussion and key details Committee members debated the scope and process for approving any particular drive‑through. Christian Harden, representing Ameris Bank, said his client would be a tenant in an older multi‑use building at 200 W. Forsyth and that the bank would seek use of existing on‑site parking for a drive‑through "in an existing parking lot affiliated with that building." Harden said any drive‑through would require the existing exception process and design review.
Councilmember Jimmy Paluso, who voted against the bill, told colleagues: "Drive thrus are not a part of [a walkable downtown] ... Im voting no on this bill. I hope that you vote no as well." Paluso said the change could be exploited and pointed to recent approvals of large suburban gas‑station developments on downtown approaches as evidence of a trend he wants to resist.
Councilmember Tyrone Clark Murray sought clarification that the exception would still require an exception application and DDRB review; Harden and Boyer confirmed exceptions and DDRB/design review would apply. Boyer said the bill does not authorize new curbside drive‑through chains downtown: "It is not saying you can start putting, you know, McDonald's, Starbucks ... in downtown. It is only for accessory parking lots for multi use buildings that have existed for a long time."
Vote and outcome The committee approved Ordinance 20250074 by voice vote, recorded as 6 yeas, 1 nay. The bill was advanced from committee as amended and will proceed through the council process.
What remains Any specific drive‑through would still require an exception application and design review. The Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) will review signage and design, and the DDRB and planning processes will apply to site‑specific proposals. Committee members said they expect to evaluate future applications case‑by‑case and said public input and DDRB review will shape whether a given proposal is acceptable.
Ending The language adopted by the committee narrows the change to accessory parking associated with older multi‑use buildings and preserves the exception and review steps, but several council members said they will watch for future proposals closely and consider further changes if wider use of downtown drive‑throughs emerges.
