Bee Cave planning commission approves SUP for CAVA mobile pickup at Ladera Ridge

The Bee Cave Planning and Zoning Commission on March 18 approved a specific use permit to allow a CAVA food-and-beverage service with a mobile-order pickup (a drive-through component) on Ladera Ridge Lot 1B, a commercial parcel adjacent to an existing Chipotle, Target and Home Depot.

The permit is limited to the lot outlined in the application and passed unanimously with conditions that the tenant be CAVA, the property be replatted in accordance with Article 2 of the City of Bee Cave Unified Development Code (UDC), and that no order/menu board be installed at the drive-through unless the commission reviews and approves such a change.

Senior Planner Sean Lipano, City of Bee Cave staff, told the commission the request is similar to an earlier application for the neighboring Chipotle and that the city received the SUP application on Feb. 14, 2025. "This is going to be similar to the Chipotle where there would not be a true order, window," Lipano said, describing the proposal as a mobile pickup window rather than a traditional, stacked order lane. He said a replat application for the site is already under city review and that full compliance with Bee Cave UDC requirements will be required during site-plan and development review.

Hannah Reamer of LJA Engineering, representing applicant Bill Walters, said the project would use a mobile pickup window and that she was available to answer questions. "I'm here representing our client, Bill Walters, the applicant for this specific use permit," Reamer said. During commission questions she acknowledged a typographical error in the applicant materials, saying, "$12.25 is a typo," and noting the correct figure in the packet was $11.69.

Commissioners discussed operational and site-layout concerns. Commissioners raised potential stacking and parking conflicts if an order/menu board were later added; one commissioner said a menu board in the proposed location could block parking and wrap around parts of the site, reducing available spaces. The commission required the SUP be conditioned to prohibit an order board unless the commission reviews any future proposal to install one. Commissioners also supported mirroring several conditions imposed on the neighboring Chipotle, including the tenant contingency and replat requirement.

Commissioners and staff reviewed access and phasing questions for the two-building development. Lipano said the common access easement would be extended as needed: if CAVA moves forward before Chipotle is complete, CAVA would build the connecting 30-foot driveway; if Chipotle builds first, Chipotle would construct access to its lot line and CAVA would finish the connection when it develops. Lipano also noted that stormwater/water-management details and other site-development issues will be addressed during later site-plan and plat review.

Environmental and site maintenance concerns were raised about the dumpster location next to the property that backs up to the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Commissioners emphasized that final site development permits and design review should include measures to control trash and wildlife attractants.

The motion to approve the SUP as presented with the stated conditions passed unanimously. The commission closed the public hearing and moved on to agenda planning; staff said the next meeting would likely be in early April.

Next steps for the applicant include completing the replat required under Article 2 of the Bee Cave UDC and submitting final site and development plans that must comply with city requirements. The SUP applies only to the CAVA lot and remains valid only so long as there is no order/menu board in the drive-through; any future proposal to add one must return to the commission for review.