A. Purpose: The regulations of this section are intended to allow for drive-through facilities by reducing the negative impacts they may create. Of special concern are noise from idling cars and voice amplification equipment, lighting, and queued traffic interfering with on site and off site traffic and pedestrian flow. The specific purposes of this section are to:
1. Reduce noise, lighting, and visual impacts on abutting uses, particularly residential uses;
2. Promote safer and more efficient on site vehicular and pedestrian circulation;
3. Reduce conflicts between queued vehicles and traffic on abutting streets.
B. Applicability And Permit Requirements:
1. These regulations shall apply to all new drive-through facilities, any rebuild or replacement of an existing structure containing a drive-through facility or modification to an existing building that includes altering the location of an existing drive-through window, expands the floor area by twenty five percent (25%) or more of the gross floor area or one thousand (1,000) square feet, whichever is less and/or the parking requirement increases as required by this title. The complete replacement of a building containing a nonconforming drive-through is subject to chapter 21A.38, "Nonconforming Uses And Noncomplying Structures", of this title.
2. Drive-through facilities may be authorized when listed on the tables of permitted and conditional uses set forth in part III of this title, specific district regulations for residential, commercial, manufacturing, downtown, gateway, and special purpose districts when developed in accordance with the standards of this section.
C. Additional Application Materials Required: In addition to the site plan and standard application requirements as set forth in chapter 21A.58 of this title, an applicant for a business with drive-through facilities shall submit a site plan that includes: a parking and circulation plan, driveway locations, placement of audio equipment (if this type of equipment will be used) and a litter cleanup plan. A litter cleanup plan shall address litter cleanup on site and off site and shall include, but not be limited to, a litter pick up schedule and a map of the cleanup area.
D. Standards:
1. Stacking Lane Standards: These standards ensure that there is adequate on site maneuvering and circulation areas, ensure that stacking vehicles do not impede traffic on abutting streets, and that stacking lanes will not have nuisance impacts on abutting residential lots.
a. Gasoline Pumps: A minimum of thirty six feet (36') of stacking lane is required between a curb cut and the nearest gasoline pump;
b. Other Drive-Through Facilities:
(1) Primary Facilities: A minimum of one hundred twenty feet (120') for a single stacking lane or sixty feet (60') per lane when there is more than one stacking lane, is required for all other drive-through facilities. A stacking lane is measured back to the point of service or final service window. Stacking lanes do not have to be linear.
(2) Accessory Facilities: A stacking lane is not required for accessory facilities where vehicles do not routinely stack up while waiting for the service. Examples are window washing, air compressor, and vacuum cleaning stations;
c. Stacking Lane Design And Layout: Stacking lanes must be designed so that they do not interfere with parking and vehicle circulation; and
d. Stacking Lanes Identified: All stacking lanes must be clearly identified, through the use of means such as striping, landscaping, and signs.
2. Traffic Circulation Requirements:
a. Only one driveway providing vehicular access to and from the drive-through window or service area shall be provided from any street;
b. The driveway providing access to the service windows shall be at least fifty feet (50') from the back of the curb of an intersecting street measured to the centerline of the proposed driveway;
c. Internal traffic circulation patterns on the lot shall be adequate to keep traffic from backing into a street or blocking access to any required parking spaces located on the lot; and
d. A traffic study addressing both on site and off site traffic and circulation impacts may be required as part of a permit application for a drive-through facility.
3. Noise Levels: Noise emitted from drive-through service windows and related features (such as remote ordering equipment at outdoor menu boards at fast food restaurants) shall not exceed the levels as established by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department. Noise generating equipment includes, but is not limited to, items such as speakers, mechanical car washes, vacuum cleaners, and exterior air compressors.
4. Air Quality: Drive-through facilities shall post Idle Free signs pursuant to title 12, chapter 12.58 of this Code.
5. Accessibility:
a. Direct pedestrian entry through the front of the building shall be provided from public streets and sidewalks to the building entrance. Crossing driveways, stacking lanes or parking areas shall be avoided.
b. Well articulated pedestrian routes and zones shall be provided on the site, linking building entrances and parking areas.
c. Decorative paving, or similar material, complemented by landscaping, shall be used where appropriate to delineate these linkages.
E. Findings Required For Approval: The approval of a drive- through facility shall require that the review authority first make all of the following findings:
1. The proposed location of the drive-through facility will not result in adverse impacts upon the vicinity after giving consideration to a litter cleanup plan, the hours of operation, noise and light generation, traffic circulation, and the site plan;
2. The proposed parking and circulation plan will provide adequate area for safe stacking and maneuvering of vehicles, and the site design will provide adequate buffering of the use from adjoining land uses;
3. When a drive-through use adjoins any residentially used or residentially zoned property, a minimum six foot (6') high masonry wall or solid fence shall be erected and maintained along such property line;
4. The site plan meets the accessibility standards required in this section. (Ord. 10-24, 2024: Ord. 53-23, 2023: Ord. 46-17, 2017: Ord. 60-14, 2014)