Commercial developers and restaurant industry representatives were heavily represented among the approximately 60 attendees of a Sept. 21 online community meeting with the Mesa Planning Division to discuss the City’s proposed zoning changes for drive-thrus.
All the representatives who spoke during the meeting expressed concerns about the plan.
Under the proposed changes:
- Only two drive-thrus (not including pharmacies, banks and similar drive-up service windows) would be allowed per intersection or commercial center;
- Only two drive-thrus will be allowed adjacent to each other. If a third is planned, it must be at least 750 feet from the two adjacent ones, and
- New drive-thrus planned in areas zoned Limited Commercial would have to secure a special use permit.
The new regulations were developed at the behest of Mesa City Council after some members expressed fears Mesa was becoming too fast-food centric and said developers were ignoring requests for higher quality restaurant options in commercial centers.
Planning staff said site plans were becoming “saturated” with drive-thru components and that sidewalk cuts to enable drive-thru operations created added dangers for pedestrians.
Residents have also complained about noise and traffic congestion caused by the fast-service operations.
For their part, restaurant and development representatives speaking at the meeting said the restrictions could make some properties harder to develop and either extend vacancies at a site or lead to less desirable tenants taking space in the commercial centers.
Restauranteurs also said drive-thru and quick service offerings were essential during the pandemic and have remained a key part of operations even as restrictions waned.
They suggested potential negative impacts could be better managed through minor changes in design standards rather than the broad-based restrictions being considered.
Representatives decried the fact the two drive-thru maximum fails to take into account the size of commercial centers in question, applying whether the project covers five acres or 30.
They also pointed out that market activity is a better indicator of resident preference than officially registered comments. While some may make statements to their representatives on Council or to City staff, the sector continues to grow, hinting that a broader base may exist for inclusion than for restriction. (Source)