6.3 PCSR 03-22-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission City Council City of Elk River, MN 13065 Orona Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 February 2, 2016 Panera Bread, LLC, having a location at 18,210 Zane Street, in a Planned Unit Development District respectfully requests a zoning text amendment to allow the use of a pre-order menu board in conjunction with their addition of a Drive-Thru at the previously noted existing location. Panera Bread has been in business at this location for approximately 10 years and is currently in the process of adding a drive-thru service to bring this location to current company standards and to offer an increase in the services available to its customer base. Currently,the sign regulations in effect for the City of Elk River do not allow the use of a pre-order station. This restriction creates delays at the order station which during peak hours can contribute to vehicular back-ups and longer customer wait times. This negative impact is best alleviated by providing a pre-order board to allow customers the opportunity to review the menu choices prior to reaching the order station, Providing a pre-order menu board has become the industry standard, and is not limited to Panera Bread drive—thru designs. As you are likely to be aware, most fast-food and quick service restaurants offering drive-thru service are incorporating a pre-order menu board for the reasons stated above. A pre-order station provides a benefit to customers waiting in the order queue as well as to all customers utilizing the site as it prevents or reduces the potential for vehicles to block available parking spaces or access to the restaurant entrances. It is our understanding that the City of Elk River regularly receives variance requests to allow this additional menu for drive-thru uses. An amendment to Subdivision II Signs, specifically to sections 30- 869(a)5 and 30-871(a)5 will provide relief to the Planning Commission and City Council agendas as these variance requests will no longer be required,thereby eliminating the need for a formal hearing before the Planning Commission and review and approval by the City Council, We thank you for your careful consideration of this request and feel that an approval of same will be in the best interest of the City of Elk River and its residents as well as customers choosing to visit Panera Bread.