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Planning board approves Heartland Dental, Chipotle and large self‑storage site plans at Highland Park; clarifies outdoor dining rules
Summary
The board recommended approval of multiple Highland Park site plans — Heartland Dental, Chipotle (with pickup configuration) and a large climate‑controlled self‑storage complex — and considered the removal of outdoor dining as a special exemption from commercial districts.
At its May 4 meeting the City of Newberry Planning and Zoning Board approved several Highland Park site plans and addressed related policy items.
Heartland Dental: Community Development staff presented a 1.27‑acre site plan for a one‑story Heartland Dental office (about 4,400 sq ft). Staff found the plan consistent with overlay standards and recommended approval with minor conditions; the board approved the recommendation unanimously.
Chipotle: Staff presented a 2,500‑sq‑ft Chipotle site plan and a special exemption request for outdoor dining. Board members noted plan pages referencing a 'drive‑thru.' Staff clarified that the proposal provides a mobile pickup/pick‑up‑only configuration and is not a traditional drive‑thru lane. The board approved the site plan and granted the special exception for outdoor dining under the quasi‑judicial standard; staff reminded the board a pending text amendment would remove outdoor dining as a separate special exception in commercial districts so future outdoor seating would be handled through site development reviews and design standards.
YSU / self‑storage: The board considered a large, climate‑controlled self‑storage complex with a roughly 120,000–138,000 sq ft main building, a one‑story detached storage building and covered RV/boat storage (~7,500 sq ft). Applicant representatives described gated access, high‑speed rollup doors, Knox‑box emergency access and dark‑sky lighting. Some board members expressed concern about the three‑story massing relative to surrounding one‑story buildings; staff clarified that building height to the roofline is 41 ft and parapet projection reaches 45 ft but complies with the city’s measurement rules. The board approved the site plan with a landscaping and equipment‑screening condition.
Across all Highland Park items, staff emphasized cross‑access easements, stormwater connections to the master system and compliance with overlay and fire‑safety requirements. The approvals were unanimous; each project will advance to the City Commission or permitting as required.
