Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 04 Super District 07
Application of Wen Georgia, LLC c/o Dillard Sellers for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for a drive through for a restaurant in the C-1 (Local Commercial) zoning district, within the Hidden Hills Overlay District, Tier 2, at 4850 Redan Road.
Body
PETITION NO: N2-2024-0891 SLUP-24-1247108 (from September agenda)
PROPOSED USE: Drive through for a restaurant.
LOCATION: 4850 Redan Road, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30088
PARCEL NO. : 15 22403 004
INFO. CONTACT: Lucas Carter, Planner
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of Wen Georgia, LLC c/o Dillard Sellers for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for a drive through for a restaurant in the C-1 (Local Commercial) zoning district, within the Hidden Hills Overlay District, Tier 2.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: (August 2024) Approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION: (September 12, 2024) Approval with conditions.
PLANNING STAFF: Denial.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant is seeking approval for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to establish a drive-through for a proposed Wendy’s restaurant on a 1.16-acre site located along Redan Road. The property is situated within a C-1 (local commercial) zoning district. While the restaurant use is permitted by right, the drive-through component requires special approval via a SLUP. The site is currently vacant and surrounded by commercial, retail, and service uses. The proposed drive-through component is not recommended for approval due to concerns related to the site’s location within the Neighborhood Center (NC) Character Area and the intent of the Great Hidden Hills Overlay, which both prioritizes compact, pedestrian-oriented development. The introduction of a drive-through facility is inherently automobile-centric, which conflicts with the intent of fostering walkability, reducing automobile dependency, and creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment along Redan Road. Nearby districts contain single-family and multi-family residential, which would be impacted by the proposal Public services, facilities, and utilities are already in place to support the Wendy’s and its drive-through operations. Redan Road, which will serve as the primary access route, is a five-lane minor arterial road that has adequate traffic capacity to handle the restaurant’s operations. The removal of an existing curb cut along Redan Road will better support the County’s desire to facilitate an improved pedestrian experience along Redan Road within the Neighborhood Activity Center. Additionally, ingress and egress to the site have been designed with pedestrian and automotive safety in mind. A new sidewalk along Redan Road will enhance pedestrian access, and the design allows for emergency vehicle entry, ensuring that safety requirements are met. Although there are existing drive-through establishments along Redan Road in the surrounding area, adding another drive through facility does not meet the intent and vision of the NC Character Area calling for a pedestrian community focused within a small to medium density mix of residential, office, and commercial uses (2050 Unified Plan, page 35). Additionally, the proposed auto-oriented drive-through restaurant is not located at the edge of the NC Character Area where auto-oriented uses may warrant consideration. While the proposed Wendy’s restaurant may be appropriate for the site, the drive-through component is inconsistent with the planning objectives of the area. The physical layout of the drive through further exacerbates these concerns by promoting automobile reliance and reducing available greenspace. The drive-through’s configuration could also potentially lead to traffic backups that could interfere with the surrounding road network and businesses. Therefore, Staff recommends “Denial”. Should the SLUP be approved, Staff recommends the attached twelve (12) conditions.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: (September 12, 2024) Approval with Conditions 7-2-0. LaSonya Osler moved, Jan Costello seconded for approval with twelve (12) conditions, per staff recommendation. Jon West and Deanna Murphy opposed.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: (August 2024) Approval 7-1-0.