Zoning Changes for Drive-Thru Windows Considered

Drive-thru windows may still be conditionally approved in Lakewood, but it could become a lot more difficult for businesses to get them.

The began ironing out some of the details to proposed changes to the city’s zoning code at on Thursday night.

Among the changes under consideration are new standards that include requiring business with drive-thru windows to conduct traffic studies; to install point-of-service speakers more than 50 feet away from a residential property; no drive-thru in the city could operate between midnight and 6 a.m. — and no drive-thru adjacent to a residentially zoned area shall operate between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

Those were just a few.

The 31 drive-thru windows currently operating in the city would not be affected by any changes to the code.

“The challenge is always balancing our long commercial corridors with residential neighborhood,” said Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development. 

“How do we promote growth and development in the commercial sector, but also protect our neighborhoods? We’ve always said that housing is our No. 1 industry — housing is our economic development in Lakewood. This is that effort to have that discussion." 

It’s not just new fast-food restaurants that would be affected by the changes, but drive-thru pharmacies and banks. 

Members of the commission asked specifics or clarification about each of the items in the proposed legislation.

Here are a few of the other changes:

• Drive-thru facilities would be required to have walk-up facilities.
• Use of sound attenuation walls and landscaping would be encouraged.
• Equipment necessary for a drive-thru (speakers, sign, menu boards) would also need to be more than 50 feet away from a residential property.
• Limits on the lane itself, including that each stacking space must be at least 20 feet and the drive-thru lane must be separated from the parking lot.

“I am sure there are many in the community who want more restrictions so that the number of properties on which a drive-thru could be placed dwindles,” said Lakewood Law Director Kevin Butler. “Do we want to make it so restrictive so that people can’t find a place to put a drive-thu? A lot of people would say yes.”

Other issues — not included in the proposal — also came up, including littering; idling and emissions; curb cuts; and drive-thru windows for cyclists.

“Idling and emissions are counter to what our community is about — and counter to a city ordinance,” said Tom Bullock, who was the only member of the community signed up to speak on the issue. “And here we are changing the code to allow idling. I don’t know how you can reconcile those things.”

Bullock said, the Ward 1 city councilman, said he would consider a measure that would prohibit “certain kinds of business,” including those with drive-thru windows.

 “I belabor you with all of these thoughts because I wanted to convey that this fits into a broader context.”

After to plant the on the former Detroit Theatre property in April, have turned to to voice their concerns.

At the , the city’s planning and development department conducted a review of every drive-thru in Lakewood and compiled a summary of the applicable language in the current zoning code.

“We’re not going to prohibit anyone from being here, but the reality is that Lakewood might not be everybody,” Siley said. “If you’re the type of business that thinks you’re going to plunk down your prototype building with a sea of parking and a drive-thru that weaves all the way around a building made with cheap materials — it’s not going to happen.”

The planning commission tabled the discussion for its next meeting, set for Nov. 3.