(A) Purpose and applicability. This section provides standards for drive-through and drive-in facilities, as defined in the Glossary and where allowed in compliance with applicable zoning districts. Drive-throughs and drive-in businesses shall be subject to all of the regulations applicable to a permitted use in the zone in which such drive-through or drive-in business is located. However, whenever the regulations of this section are more restrictive or impose higher standards or requirements, the requirements of this section shall control.
(B) Standards. Drive-through and drive-in facilities shall comply with all of the following.
(1) Required findings. The Planning Commission shall make the following findings in addition to other required findings of the conditional use permit for a drive-through or drive-in business, in addition to standard findings required for issuance of a conditional use permit:
(a) The proposed use complies with all requirements set forth for the issuance of the required planning entitlement;
(b) The proposed use will not substantially increase vehicular traffic on any street in a residential zone;
(c) The proposed use will not lessen the suitability of any nearby commercially zoned property for commercial use by interfering with pedestrian traffic;
(d) The proposed use will not create increased traffic hazards to pedestrians when located near a school, place of worship, auditorium, theater or other place of assembly; and
(e) Adequate conditions have been applied through the required planning entitlement to prevent adverse impacts on surrounding properties with respect to noise, trespass, and litter control.
(2) Circulation plan. A pedestrian and vehicular circulation plan shall be submitted along with any required application submittal items. Such a plan shall indicate how pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be separated to provide for pedestrian safety. The plan shall also indicate how vehicles will circulate to and through the drive-through or use drive-in facilities in a manner that will not impede traffic flow on any public right-of-way.
(3) Setbacks. Additional setback requirements may be applied by the responsible review authority were deemed necessary for the safety, welfare, and protection of adjacent properties.
(4) Location of drive aisles. Drive-through aisles shall be inwardly focused within the site and located away from adjoining streets, wherever feasible.
(5) Pedestrian walkways. Pedestrian walkways (including ADA access areas) shall not intersect the drive-through access aisles unless they have clear visibility and are emphasized by enhanced paving or markings.
(6) No reduction in off-street parking. Parking for drive-through and drive-in uses shall be provided as required by this title.
(7) Waiting and queuing vehicles.
(a) Drive-through access aisles shall be located entirely within the property and shall be at least 175 feet in length, measured starting at the pickup window. More stacking may be required, depending on the need of the specific business as verified by a stacking study performed by a qualified expert.
Drive aisle length is measured from the start of the drive aisle (A) to the pickup window (B).
(b) Drive-through lanes shall be designed to avoid the blocking of vehicle traffic, parking stalls and pedestrian access.
(c) No drive-through queuing is required for a drive-in business, but access to the pickup window shall be designed to avoid the blocking of vehicle access, parking stalls and pedestrian access.
(8) Menu and preview boards.
(a) Approval of a menu and preview board shall be subject to the approval of a sign permit pursuant to the provisions found in § 25.07.016 before installation of any signs on the subject site.
(b) As practical, visibility of outdoor menu and preview boards shall be minimized from any adjoining street(s). Additional landscape areas or shrub plantings may be required to provide proper screening.
(9) Noise. Amplification equipment (speakers at menu boards, piped music, etc.) shall be located so as not to adversely impact adjoining uses and shall be operated in compliance with Title 19, Chapter 19.39, Article IV (Sound Level Restriction) of the County Code.
(10) Wall and landscape buffer required when adjoining residential uses. A minimum six-foot-high solid decorative masonry wall shall be constructed on each property line that adjoins a parcel zoned for and/or developed with a residential use, and a minimum six-foot-high solid masonry wall shall be constructed on interior property lines for all zones. The design of the wall and the proposed construction materials shall be subject to review and approval through the site plan review process. A minimum five-foot-deep landscaping strip shall be provided between the wall and any driveway.
(11) Lighting. All exterior lighting shall be arranged and shielded to prevent any glare or reflection and any nuisance, inconvenience, and hazardous interference of any kind on adjoining streets or property; and in accordance with the provisions of the lighting section of the County Code.
(12) Deliveries. Delivery hours may be regulated through the conditional use permit for the drive-through or drive-in use.
(Ord. 1043 § 3 (part), 2022)