The Fountain Hills Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 10 recommended approval of a special-use permit allowing the removal of nine parking spaces at 13212 North Saguaro to accommodate an expanded Dairy Queen drive-through.

Director John Wesley told the commission the three-tenant building currently contains 41 parking spaces—the number required by code—and staff counted roughly 216 existing spaces across the broader Plat 208 area compared with an estimated build-out need of 142 spaces. "There appear to be extra spaces within the area to take the loss of spaces in this particular parking lot," Wesley said. He also noted a discrepancy between the plan (22 feet) and aerial measurements (30 feet) for the drive aisle, and relayed a concern from Fountain Hills Sanitary District about access to a grease interceptor; the applicant agreed to relocate the interceptor on the revised site plan.

Several commissioners raised circulation and stacking concerns. Commissioner Gray said he was "not going to support taking out those parking spaces tonight," citing potential impacts on the adjacent parcel to the south. Architect Jack Leonard and the owner said they had revised the turning radius and increased stacking and that the owner would monitor queueing and deploy cones and signage as needed. "We think we're in a good position to address all these things," Leonard said.

Commissioner Gray moved to recommend approval of SCP 25 with conditions that the grease interceptor be relocated and that employees park off-site; the motion carried on a recorded roll call, 5–1.

The commission’s recommendation includes conditions intended to preserve circulation for adjacent tenants and ensure maintenance access for sanitation services. If the Dairy Queen does not open within the time frame prescribed by code, the permit will expire and parking requirements will revert to the code standard.

The matter will move to the Town Council for final action; staff and the applicant indicated they will monitor queuing and signage placement as the project proceeds.