PZ - Staff Report 6-3
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HEARING
DATE:
6/3/2021
TO: Planning & Zoning Commission
FROM: Joseph Dodson, Associate Planner
208-884-5533
SUBJECT: H-2021-0030
Popeye’s Drive-Through – CUP
LOCATION: The site is located at 6343 N. Linder
Road, the southwest corner of W.
Chinden Boulevard/Hwy. 20/26 and N.
Linder Road, in the NE ¼ of the NE ¼ of
Section 26, Township 4N., Range 1W.
I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Conditional Use Permit for a drive-through establishment within 300-feet of an existing drive-through
on 1.0 acres of land in the C-G zoning district with concurrent Administrative Design Review for the
proposed building elevations.
II. SUMMARY OF REPORT
A. Project Summary
STAFF REPORT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Description Details Page
Acreage 1.0-acre
Future Land Use Designation Mixed-Use Community
Existing Land Use Vacant/undeveloped
Proposed Land Use(s) Restaurant with a dual drive-through
Current Zoning General Retail and Service Commercial District (C-G)
Physical Features (waterways,
hazards, flood plain, hillside)
None
Neighborhood meeting date; #
of attendees:
April 5, 2021; no attendees (One phone call after
meeting, see application materials online)
History (previous approvals) AZ-06-006; PP-13-031; FP-14-020; MDA-13-019
(DA Inst. #114014784).
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A. Project Area Maps
III. APPLICANT INFORMATION
A. Applicant:
Same as Owner
B. Owner:
Erik Wylie, JRW Construction, LLC – 1676 N. Clarendon Way, Eagle, ID 83616
Future Land Use Map
Aerial Map
Zoning Map
Planned Development Map
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C. Representative:
Same as Owner
IV. NOTICING
Planning & Zoning
Posting Date
Newspaper Notification 5/14/2021
Radius notification mailed to
properties within 500 feet 5/11/2021
Site Posting Date 5/21/2021
Next Door posting 5/12/2021
V. STAFF ANALYSIS
The proposed drive-through is for a 2,325 square foot Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurant that is
within 300-feet of a separate drive-through to the south, which requires Conditional Use Permit
approval (CUP) per UDC Table 11-2B-2 and the specific use standards, UDC 11-4-3-11. The
submitted site plan shows a rectangular building situated relatively centered on the site with angled
parking along the east and north boundaries. The site plan shows one-way drive aisles around the
building that connects to a two-way drive aisle in the northwest corner of the site; this two-way drive
aisle is off-site but the adjacent property shares the same ownership. The Applicant anticipates the
north drive aisle to be the main point of access to the drive-through.
The subject site is located within the Mixed-use Community (MU-C) future land use which
contemplates a multitude of uses, residential, commercial, and otherwise. Due to the size of the site,
this singular site cannot be expected to contain three distinct uses as discussed within the mixed-use
sections of the Meridian Comprehensive Plan. Instead, those uses within the nearby radius should
also be contemplated for compliance with this future land use. Staff finds the proposed use and the
surrounding uses, both existing and planned, comply with the MU-C future land use designation.
Specific Use Standards: The proposed drive-through establishment is subject to the specific use
standards listed in UDC 11-4-3-11, Drive-Through Establishment. A site plan is required to be
submitted that demonstrates safe pedestrian and vehicular access and circulation on the site and
between adjacent properties. At a minimum, the plan is required to demonstrate compliance with the
following standards:
In general, Staff does not support the proposed site design and is recommending revisions for the
Commission to consider; Staff’s analysis of the specific use standards and any recommendations
are in italics.
1) Stacking lanes have sufficient capacity to prevent obstruction of driveways, drive aisles and
the public right-of-way by patrons;
The proposed site layout places a dual ordering drive-through along the south of the site and the
pick-up window on the east side of the building. With this site design the proposed drive-through
has a minimal stacking lane due to the overall site and building being relatively small.
Furthermore, the site design is made for traffic to flow in a circular pattern around the building
utilizing a portion of the drive aisle adjacent to the west side of the building as the stacking lane.
Furthermore, the proposed site design with the anticipation of the extended north drive aisle as
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the main entry point requires patrons who intend to park and utilize the dining room to go
through the site along the west boundary, use the shared drive aisle along the south boundary to
head east, and finally enter the site again to use the parking spaces. As proposed by the
Applicant, Staff can envision patrons double stacking to order faster and block the one-way drive
along the west boundary and effectively restricting patrons from using the parking spaces along
the east boundary. Staff also envisions patrons blocking and/or utilizing the north drive aisle and
obstructing both this anticipated exit and entry for the site with as few as seven (7) cars stacked
along the west of the building (approximately 140’ from the ordering window to the north drive
aisle).
Therefore, Staff recommends multiple changes to the site design: 1) one drive-through instead
of two should be utilized; 2) the ordering and pick-up areas be flipped on the site to have the
pick-up window on the west side of the building and the menu boards located near the
north/east side of the site; and 3) flip the parking from the east side of the site to the west side
of the site. These changes will allow for adequate stacking with less potential of obstructing the
existing drive aisle along the south boundary of the site and allow customers who want to
utilize the dining room better access to parking which would be on the west side of the building
instead of the east. Further analysis is below in the Access and Parking sections of this report.
In addition, Staff does not agree with the Applicant that the northern drive aisle would be
utilized as the main access point to the site and instead Staff believes the existing drive aisle
along the south of the site will be utilized more for the drive-through component of the
business. Because the site is designed to function as a one-way loop, the Applicant should
provide more than adequate signage to ensure patrons utilize the traffic flow correctly.
2) The stacking lane shall be a separate lane from the circulation lanes needed for access and
parking, except stacking lanes may provide access to designed employee parking.
Per the submitted site plan, the stacking lane(s) are along the west side of the site and are
separated from the west drive aisle by striping despite having two drive-through menu
boards/speakers. With two proposed drive-through speakers, Staff does not find the proposed
separation to be sufficient. In fact, and as noted above, Staff believes patrons would utilize the
drive west drive aisle as the second stacking lane and completely obstructing this drive aisle and
site exit. Staff’s recommended changes above would help alleviate this issue by removing the dual
drive-through speaker and placing the singular one along the north/east side of the site adjacent
to the one-way drive aisle that is eight feet wider than the west drive aisle. Further analysis is
below in the Access section of this report.
3) The stacking lane shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any residential district or existing
residence;
The stacking lane is not located within 10’ of any residential district or residence.
4) Any stacking lane greater than one hundred (100) feet in length shall provide for an escape
lane; and
The stacking lane exceeds 100’ in length but utilizes some of the one-way drive aisle as the
stacking area so it is difficult to discern where the stacking lane starts. However, there is also no
need for a designated escape lane because the site design does not close off the menu board and
patrons can exit the drive-through by utilizing the drive aisle. The adjacent drive aisle is wide
enough to function as the escape lane so Staff has no concern with the Applicant complying with
this standard with the recommended changes noted above that allow for patrons to exit directly
west through the new drive aisle along the north boundary or to the south adjacent to the pick-up
window on the west side of the site should they decide they no longer wish to order.
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5) The site should be designed so that the drive-through is visible from a public street for
surveillance purposes.
The proposed drive-through is located along the south and east side of the site and is visible from
Linder Road. With Staff’s recommended changes, the menu boards would be located along the
north side of the property with the pick-up window on the west side of the building and less
visible than currently proposed. After discussions with Meridian Police, they are more concerned
with the site circulation than they are regarding the pick-up window being less visible on the west
side of the building. Locating the pick-up window on the west side of the building still allows it to
be visible from Chinden Boulevard and from within the commercial subdivision.
Staff’s specific recommendations can be found in Section VIII.A2 & A3.
The proposed use of a Restaurant is subject to an additional specific use standard listed in UDC 11-4-
3-49 and notes that the minimum amount of parking shall be one (1) space for every 250 square feet
of gross floor area. Based on the proposed building size of 2,325 square feet noted on the submitted
site plan, a minimum of nine (9) parking spaces are required. The proposed site plan shows 19
parking spaces, exceeding UDC minimums. At the time of the future Certificate of Zoning
Compliance (CZC) application, the data table on the site plan should be corrected to reflect the
correct minimum standards of a restaurant use instead of the general commercial ratio.
Access: Access to the site is shown via two drive aisles: one along the south boundary which is
currently existing, and; one abutting the site in the northwest corner that is proposed to be constructed
with this project. The new proposed drive aisle would traverse an undeveloped lot and connect to a
drive aisle that serves existing commercial buildings along Chinden (including an additional drive-
through). This drive aisle is the proposed main entry point to the site, according to the Applicant.
The south drive aisle is existing and traverses through the entire commercial subdivision with an
access to a private drive aisle intended to be an auxiliary ingress/egress point for the properties in this
area. Because the south drive aisle does not have any parking that directly accesses this drive aisle
and has access to an auxiliary ingress/egress point, Staff believes this drive aisle will be far more
utilized than the new north drive aisle that starts much closer to the Chinden ingress/egress and is
essentially a parking lot instead of a drive aisle.
Therefore, with the potential access points and the concerns introduced above, Staff has
recommended revisions to the site plan to help mitigate the concerns and increase the efficiency and
safety of the site design.
First, Staff recommends the drive-through contain only one (1) ordering speaker to help mitigate
double stacking issues. Secondly, Staff recommends mirroring the site to have the menu board on
either the east or north sides of the site therefore moving the pick-up window to the west side of the
building. Staff does not know if the entire site needs to be flipped placing the main entrance facing
south; this would not be preferred as the more architectural elevations would be facing internal
rather than towards the adjacent busy roads. However, Staff assumes the internal portions of the
building can be flipped to move the pick-up window to the west side of the building and maintain
the patio space and building entry facing north along the entrwyway corridor. With these changes,
the entire building can be shifted south and remove the need for any vehicle use area along the
south side of the building. Additional landscaping or other features could be utilized in this area.
Furthermore, the building shift to the south allows for the menu board to be placed near the north
side or northeast corner of the building further away from the patio area—Staff envisions there
would be adequate room along the north of the building site to include additional landscaping to
screen and mitigate the additional noise generated by vehicles ordering while patrons utilize the
patio space.
In short, shifting the site south and flipping the location of the ordering and pick-up windows
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opens up the site and allows for easier and more logical ingress and egress to the drive-through by
allowing vehicles to enter the site in the southeast corner, stack along the east and northeast sides
of the building, pick-up their order along the west side of the building, and then immediately exit
via the southbound one-way drive aisle to the shared drive aisle along the south boundary. Staff’s
recommended site design is based on the assumption that more traffic will utilize the drive aisle
along the south boundary than the proposed drive aisle in the northwest corner.
Parking: A minimum of one (1) parking space is required to be provided for every 250 square feet of
gross floor area for the proposed restaurant use. The proposed building is shown as 2,325 square feet
requiring a minimum of 9 (rounded down from 9.3) parking spaces; the submitted site plan shows 19
proposed parking spaces exceeding UDC minimums.
Consistent with Staff recommendations above, Staff recommends flipping the parking from the east
side of the site to the west side of the site and face them south to further mitigate conflicts of stacking
and parking. By placing the angled parking on the west side and facing them south instead of north,
combined with Staff’s previous recommendations of flipping the order and pick-up areas, the building
can be shifted east by approximately the width of the proposed 20’ drive aisle and the angled parking
stalls. Therefore, the east drive aisle and south entrance could be used solely for ordering and
stacking at the new location of the menu boards along the north end of the site. With the angled
parking along the west side of the building, the one-way drive aisle must be at least 13 feet wide per
UDC 11-3C-4 but Staff feels it should largely mirror what is currently proposed on the east side
(approximately 20 feet wide) to allow for the drive aisle to function as the escape plan as discussed
above. Furthermore, the flip of the site allows the escape lane and the drive-thru exit to pick-up their
order and immediately exit to the south without impeding as many parking spaces. The Applicant
could then designate the parking along the north drive aisle as employee parking to meet the drive-
through establishment specific use standard that states employee parking may be impeded by stacking
lanes (the new order and stacking location along the east and north sides of the building could
impede the parking along the north boundary).
As noted, to make all of this work all of Staff’s recommendations should be utilized including the
requirement of clear and visible signage noting the required traffic flow for the site.
The existing Development Agreement requires cross-access through all of the commercial parcels
within the Knighthill Center Subdivision. Staff does not have a copy of said cross-access agreement
but with other applications, the Applicant has shown compliance with this requirement. Staff does not
have concerns with the Applicant complying with the existing requirement.
A minimum one (1) bicycle parking space is required to be provided for every 25 vehicle spaces or
portion thereof per UDC 11-3C-6G; bicycle parking facilities are required to comply with the location
and design standards listed in UDC 11-3C-5C. Bicycle parking is shown on the submitted plans in
compliance with code.
Pedestrian Walkways: A striped pedestrian walkway is depicted on the site plan from the proposed
building to the multi-use pathway along W. Chinden Blvd. as required by UDC 11-3A-19B.4a. It also
appears there is a sidewalk proposed near the south boundary of the site as a connection to the
sidewalk along Linder Rd. However, it is not clear by the submitted plans where the sidewalk is and
appears to run into the proposed trash enclosure location. Staff’s recommended changes would allow
the trash enclosure to be pushed further north enough to allow for an unobstructed sidewalk along
the south boundary of the site. Because it is unclear if the Applicant is proposing a sidewalk along the
south boundary, Staff recommends the Applicant make it clearly visible where the pedestrian facilities
are when revising the site plan; this allows the Applicant to match what is existing along the south
side of the drive aisle along the south boundary of the site. In addition, this pedestrian walkway to
Linder has to traverse a drive aisle and should be distinguished from the driving surface. The
Applicant should also make it clear where a pedestrian connection to the Linder sidewalk is
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proposed.
Furthermore, subsection B of this code section requires that the pedestrian walkway be distinguished
from the driving surface by being constructed with pavers, brick, or scored/colored concrete. The
proposed site plan appears to only show striping which does not comply with this code section. The
Applicant should show compliance with this code section with a future CZC submittal.
Landscaping: Parking lot landscaping is required to be provided in accord with the standards listed
in UDC 11-3B-8C. Landscaping is depicted on the landscape plan in Section VII.B.
A minimum 5-foot wide landscape buffer is required to be provided along the perimeter of the
parking or other vehicular use areas as set forth in UDC 11-3B-8C.1. The proposed parking spaces
align the perimeter of the site which allows the Applicant to utilize the existing street buffer
landscaping as the required landscaping. Staff agrees with this design to maximize the site design.
This code requirement is also applicable along the west boundary of the site where a 12-foot wide
one-way drive is proposed heading south. The submitted plans do not show any perimeter
landscaping along this boundary. Because the adjacent property is owned by the same property
owner and the western drive aisle is intended to always function as a one-way drive aisle, Staff is
amenable to placing the required 5-feet of landscaping on that property instead. With the CZC
submittal, the landscape plan should be revised to show the required 5-foot wide landscape buffer
adjacent to the drive west drive aisle.
Street buffer landscaping, including sidewalks/multi-use pathway, along N. Linder Rd. and W.
Chinden Blvd. were installed with development of the overall subdivision. The submitted landscape
plans show the buffers remaining as it currently exists except for the new pedestrian connection to the
multi-use pathway along Chinden. Proposed buffer landscaping complies with UDC requirements.
Mechanical Equipment: All mechanical equipment adjacent to the building and outdoor service and
equipment should be incorporated into the overall design of buildings and landscaping so that the
visual and acoustic impacts of these functions are fully contained and out of view from adjacent
properties and public streets as set forth in UDC 11-3A-12. If mechanical equipment is proposed to be
roof-mount, all equipment should be screened and out of view as noted above.
Building Elevations: The Applicant applied for Design Review concurrently with this CUP
application and therefore provided building elevations to be reviewed. The building elevations were
submitted as shown in Section VII.C and incorporate two main field materials, fiber cement siding
and stone. The siding and stone are two contrasting colors (coal-like color and white, respectively)
which adds to the overall modern design of the building. On the east and west elevations, the number
of proposed windows can act as either an accent material or a third field material. The lack of
modulation along the north and south elevations are of concern to Staff. In order to meet the
modulation requirements for these two facades, a column of stone at least 6 inches in depth should be
added to each façade, matching the overall aesthetic by placing them as evenly as possible on each
façade.
The detached drive-through canopy is shown with the same two field materials (fiber cement siding
and stone) as the main building and meets all of the applicable design standards outlined in the
Architectural Standards Manual.
No elevations were submitted that show the proposed trash enclosure; this should be corrected with
the future CZC submittal and should match the style of the proposed building. The submitted
landscape plans do show adequate screening of the trash enclosure.
Certificate of Zoning Compliance: A Certificate of Zoning Compliance application is required to be
submitted for the proposed use prior to submittal of a building permit application to ensure
consistency with the conditions in Section VIII and UDC standards.
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VI. DECISION
A. Staff:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed conditional use permit with the conditions included
in Section VIII per the Findings in Section IX. The Director has approved the administrative
design review request with conditions.
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VII. EXHIBITS
A. Proposed Site Plan (dated: 4/15/2021) NOT APPROVED
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B. Proposed Landscape Plan (dated: 4/15/2021) NOT APPROVED
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C. Proposed Building Elevations and Color Rendering
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VIII. CITY/AGENCY COMMENTS & CONDITIONS
A. PLANNING
1. Future development of this site shall comply with the existing Development Agreement (DA
Inst. #114014784), and associated conditions of approval (AZ-06-006; PP-13-031; FP-14-020;
MDA-13-019).
2. The Conditional Use Permit for the proposed Drive-Through Establishment is hereby
approved with the following conditions of approval:
a. No more than one (1) menu board/order speaker shall be permitted;
b. The site shall be redesigned per the specific revisions noted below in VIII.A3 and A4
below.
c. The west drive-aisle shall be no less than 20 feet in width (not including the drive-
through lane) and the east drive aisle shall be no less than 12 feet in width.
d. The parking spaces along the north boundary shall be restricted to employee parking
only.
e. Additional signage is required throughout the site to efficiently and adequately direct
patrons to the menu boards and throughout the site with minimal conflict.
f. The proposed off-site east-west drive aisle along Chinden Blvd. shown on the adjacent
property (Parcel #R4995350100) shall be constructed prior to receiving Certificate of
Occupancy, as proposed;
g. Prior to receiving Certificate of Occupancy on the proposed building, a Property
Boundary Adjustment shall be obtained by the Applicant to reflect the new location of
the west property line, as shown on the submitted plans.
3. The site plan submitted with the future Certificate of Zoning Compliance application shall be
revised as follows:
a. Depict the pick-up window on the west side of the building and the menu board/order
speaker along the north/northeast side of the building;
b. Depict the north facing angled parking to be on the west side of the site instead of the east
side of the site and angle them southbound;
c. Shift the proposed building to the east and to the south to allow for better utilization of
the site along the north drive aisle with the option to incorporate more landscaping for
screening;
d. Designate the parking along the north boundary of the site as employee-only parking and
move the handicap space to the new parking along the west boundary to place it closer to
the building entrance;
e. Depict pedestrian facilities along the south boundary of the site to match what is on the
south side of this shared drive aisle; depict these pedestrian walkways and their
connections clearly on revised site plans;
f. Per UDC 11-3A-19B.4b, depict pedestrian walkways across driving surfaces to be
constructed with bricks, pavers, and/or colored or scored concrete to clearly delineate the
driving surface from the pedestrian walkway.
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4. The landscape plan submitted with the future Certificate of Zoning Compliance application
shall be revised as follows:
a. Show compliance with UDC 11-3B-8C by constructing the required 5 feet of perimeter
landscaping along the west boundary adjacent to the revised angled parking location.
5. The elevations submitted with the Administrative Design Review (DES) application are
approved with the following revisions:
a. Ensure the east and west elevations have qualifying modulation per standard 3.1A &
3.1B in the Architectural Standards Manual. It is unclear based on the site plan whether
the portions of the wall with the brick façade have the qualifying modulation. Any
revisions to the elevations are required with the submittal of the certificate of zoning
compliance application.
6. Submit elevations of the trash enclosure that generally matches the proposed building design.
7. Comply with the standards listed in UDC 11-4-3-11 – Drive-Through Establishment is
required.
8. Comply with the standards listed in UDC 11-4-3-49 – Restaurant.
9. A Certificate of Zoning Compliance application shall be submitted and approved for the
proposed use prior to submittal of a building permit application.
10. The conditional use permit is valid for a maximum period of two (2) years unless otherwise
approved by the City. During this time, the Applicant shall commence the use as permitted in
accord with the conditions of approval, satisfy the requirements set forth in the conditions of
approval, and acquire building permits and commence construction of permanent footings or
structures on or in the ground as set forth in UDC 11-5B-6. A time extension may be requested
as set forth in UDC 11-5B-6F.
B. PUBLIC WORKS
1. There are no utilities shown with the plans submitted. Any changes to public water or sewer
infrastructure must be reviewed by Public Works prior to approval.
C. NAMPA & MERIDIAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT (NMID)
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=229161&dbid=0&repo=MeridianC
ity
D. CENTRAL DISTRICT HEALTH (CDH)
https://weblink.meridiancity.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=228244&dbid=0&repo=MeridianC
ity
IX. FINDINGS
Conditional Use (UDC 11-5B-6)
Findings: The commission shall base its determination on the conditional use permit request upon the
following:
1. That the site is large enough to accommodate the proposed use and meet all the dimensional
and development regulations in the district in which the use is located.
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Staff finds the site is large enough to accommodate the proposed development and meet all
dimensional and development regulations of the C-G zoning district if Staff’s recommendations of
approval are met.
2. That the proposed use will be harmonious with the Meridian comprehensive plan and in
accord with the requirements of this title.
Staff finds the proposed restaurant and drive-through will be harmonious with the
Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with applicable UDC standards with the conditions noted
in Section VIII of this report.
3. That the design, construction, operation and maintenance will be compatible with other
uses in the general neighborhood and with the existing or intended character of the general
vicinity and that such use will not adversely change the essential character of the same area.
With the conditions of approval in Section VIII, Staff finds the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of the proposed use will be compatible with other uses in the general neighborhood,
with the existing and intended character of the vicinity and will not adversely change the
essential character of the area.
4. That the proposed use, if it complies with all conditions of the approval imposed, will not
adversely affect other property in the vicinity.
Staff finds the proposed use will not adversely affect other properties in the vicinity if it complies
with the conditions in Section VIII of this report.
5. That the proposed use will be served adequately by essential public facilities and services
such as highways, streets, schools, parks, police and fire protection, drainage structures,
refuse disposal, water, and sewer.
Staff finds the proposed use will be served by essential public facilities and services as required.
6. That the proposed use will not create excessive additional costs for public facilities and
services and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community.
Staff finds the proposed use will not create additional costs for public facilities and services and
will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community.
7. That the proposed use will not involve activities or processes, materials, equipment and
conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property or the general
welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare or odors.
Staff finds the proposed use will not be detrimental to any persons, property or the general
welfare by the reasons noted above.
8. That the proposed use will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of a natural, scenic
or historic feature considered to be of major importance. (Ord. 05-1170, 8-30-2005, eff. 9-
15-2005)
Staff finds the proposed use will not result in the destruction, loss or damage of any such features.