Plan Commission approves Panda drive‑through with condition to record parcel map

The Marshfield Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit permitting a Panda restaurant with a drive‑through and granted a deviation from the city's forward stacking standard, with staff recommending a condition that a certified survey map establishing the development parcel be recorded before any zoning or building permits are issued.

Staff reported that the proposed parking supply exceeds minimum requirements and that street frontage landscaping along Peach Avenue, Peach Court and North Central Avenue meets the city's site design standards. Staff described the requested deviation from code 18‑589(g) that would shorten the forward stacking distance to 18 feet from the 40‑foot guideline and explained the 40‑foot standard exists to allow forward queuing for roughly two vehicle lengths so vehicles do not block the drive‑aisle while completing point‑of‑sale transactions.

A commissioner questioned whether the shorter forward stacking would affect the business's ability to move vehicles through the lot; staff said the design team proposed a compromise that provides two dedicated stalls immediately across from the drive‑through window within a two‑way circulation pattern to maintain throughput. The commission opened a public hearing, received no public comment, and then voted to accept staff's recommendation.

On roll call the mayor, Council Member O'Reilly, Council Member Caprillion, Commissioner Bernardi and Commissioner Mitchell voted yes; the motion carried. The approval includes the staff condition that a certified survey map establishing the parcel be submitted and approved by the city before issuance of any permits. Staff said it will prepare a resolution and confirm any required design details with the applicant and the design team.