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Leesburg council approves special-exception drive-through at 842 S. King St.
Summary
The Leesburg Town Council on Jan. 13 approved a special-exception to allow an adaptive reuse restaurant with a drive-through at 842 South King Street (TLSPEX2025-0001). Staff recommended approval; the planning commission recommended approval 6-0-1. No public speakers opposed; the motion passed 7-0.
Leesburg — The Town Council voted unanimously on Jan. 13 to approve a special-exception (TLSPEX2025-0001) allowing the adaptive reuse of a former bank at 842 South King Street for a restaurant with a drive-through. Staff recommended approval and the Planning Commission had recommended approval, 6-0-1.
Debbie Perry, the town’s land use planner, told council the site is in the Crescent Design Commercial District and that the proposal meets the applicable B-2 corridor standards for an existing structure. Perry said parking requirements are met with 28 spaces and a shared-parking agreement, landscaping that had previously failed will be replaced, and lighting and buffering will remain unchanged. "Staff finds that all criteria have been met," Perry said.
Anna Ritter, land use attorney for the applicant, described the project as an adaptive reuse of the former John Marshall Bank and said the anticipated tenant is Chicken Salad Chick. Ritter emphasized environmental benefits of reuse and noted the applicant will restore vegetation on site. On operational details, Ritter said the food preparation methods proposed do not require a grease trap because the tenant does not plan to deep-fry: "It's chicken salad, so they don't do deep frying," she said.
No members of the public signed up to speak on the item. After brief council questions and a disclosure by one member about a prior conversation with an applicant-related person, a council member moved to approve the special-exception, the vice mayor seconded, and the council approved the motion 7-0.
The approval allows the restaurant use and drive-through subject to the standard conditions noted in the staff report, including limits on loading-zone vehicle size and confirmation of required landscaping. The council did not add additional conditions beyond those recommended by staff. The applicant will proceed with any remaining administrative steps required for permits and tenant fit-out.
