New McLean Eatery Seeks County Approval For Drive-Thru Window

MCLEAN, VA — Sweetgreen Dupont, LLC recently filed a special exception request with Fairfax County to allow for the addition of a pick-up window at the restaurant chain's new location in McLean's Chesterbrook Shopping Center. Sweetgreen is scheduled to open its new 2,571-square-foot restaurant at 6220 Old Dominion Drive on Tuesday.

"The pick-up window, or 'Sweetlane,' is distinct from a traditional drive-through and will exclusively serve pickup orders," according to the special exception application. "The Sweetlane is needed in response to structural shifts in the retail economy that are increasing the reliance on pickup options as part of retail operations. Supporting the retail industry and allowing it to logically evolve is critical to maintain the viability of areas planned and developed with established retail uses and to benefit the community both economically and from a service delivery standpoint."

The new restaurant occupies an existing pad site building that had previously functioned as a drive-through bank, according to the application. The proposal was narrowly focused to take advantage of the existing pickup window.

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To facilitate the addition of a pick-up window, Sweetgreen also filed a request for a special exception amendment to reduce the number of stacking spaces required.

"A restaurant use is permitted by-right in the C-6 District. As such, no zoning entitlements are required for the restaurant without the pickup lane," according to the application. "However, a drive-through lane associated with a restaurant use, even if limited to a pickup lane, requires [special exception] approval."

Sweetgreen estimated that the new restaurant would employ 10 to 20 people who would serve less than 500 people a day.

"Traffic impact is minimal because the Sweetgreen restaurant with pick-up window is replacing an existing drive-thru bank," Sweetgreen said, in its application. "As such, there will be minimal increases in traffic, if any, and the area of the shopping center will experience little to no transportation changes than what previously existed. Anticipated changes, which includes a
decrease in anticipated trips compared to existing conditions, are outlined as follows:

• "22 fewer weekday AM peak hour trips (13 fewer inbound; 9 fewer outbound)
• "22 fewer weekday PM peak hour trips (10 fewer inbound; 12 fewer outbound)
• "250 weekday daily total trips; 8 fewer than existing
• :16 more Saturday peak hour trips (8 more inbound; 8 more outbound)"

With 20 parking spaces available, the Sweetgreen will exceed the 18 spaces required under the current zoning ordinance.

County planners received Sweetgreen's special exception application on Nov. 21 and it remains under review. The application has yet to be added to the Fairfax County Planning Commission's calendar for a public hearing.

Ahead of its Dec. 2 opening, Sweetgreen is offering customers a sneak peak with a complimentary meal on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Anyone interested in getting an early look at the McLean restaurant can RSVP here.

On opening day, guests at Sweetgreen's new McLean location will enjoy special treats and festivities, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. These include building your own flower bar by Elegant Lllies, Coffee & Matcha from Cha Coffee Co., and Sweetgreen hats.

In addition, for every meal purchased on opening day, Sweetgreen will donate a meal to Food for Others to nourish people in Northern Virginia experiencing food insecurity.