Despite Some Neighborhood Concerns, Plan for New Taco Bell on Duke Street Gets 'Green Light' from City Staff

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Despite some neighbors' concerns about traffic, a need for more parking spaces, impact on property values, hours and the potential for loitering, City planning employees are green lighting the new Taco Bell project planned for Duke Street in the City's West End.

Neighbors aired their concerns at a meeting Dec. 14 and in emails to the City planning staff.

“With the proposed super late night drive through, this would encourage constant late night riff raff,” wrote resident Jennifer Johnson, in a letter to the City and reported by Washington Business Journal this week. Also from her letter: “The stores are poorly stocked, dirty, and often promote loitering. Last night, my husband and I went to the Taco Bell on South Van Dorn Street. Aside from the front counter not being staffed for at least 3 minutes, despite a standing line, they didn’t have forks! How do you run a restaurant without forks?! This is indicative of a common systemic problem of poor management and general lack of caring.”

Property values are also a concern: “I cannot conceive of the homeowners living just across Duke Street having to see a fast food place right across from their homes,” wrote Wanda Dowell, and also reported by Washington Business Journal.

The proposal goes before City Planning Commission members Thursday night and before City Council Jan. 28.

The City Planning Commission staff recommends approval of the request to construct the new restaurant:

"The project involves the construction of a new building that features high-quality material finishes and a pedestrian-friendly site design. The restaurant proposal is appropriate for this site near other commercial uses and is consistent with the Seminary Hill Small Area Plan." The project offers several benefits, the Planning Commission staff points out, including:

• The installation of four high-visibility crosswalks that are requested by the community;
• Affordable housing ($4,132) and public art ($660) contributions;
• A new building consistent with the City’s Green Building Policy; and
• New landscaping in the public right-of-way. Key issues under consideration and discussed in greater detail in this report include:

Key issues under consideration and discussed in greater detail in the staff report:

• Site design, including the placement of the drive-through window, the orientation of the building toward adjacent streets and pedestrian connections;
• Building design, including façade materials;
• Loading/unloading of supplies; and
• Analysis of potential traffic issues.

The new drive-through Taco Bell restaurant is being planned for 4213 and 4141 Duke St., at the corner of Duke Street and N. Gordon Street (see map below). Taco Bell is proposing a 57-seat restaurant with 42 indoor seats and 15 outdoor seats.

About 600 patrons per day are expected to be served at the location, according to the proposal; Taco Bell is asking the City to loosen its rules for the height of the menu sign, at 7 feet, 3 inches and says its speaker will adhere to the City noise ordinance and not be audible beyond the property boundaries. Hours are expected to be: 6 a.m. to 12 midnight for indoor dining and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for outdoor dining. The drive-through window will be open 24 hours a day. The eatery will be outfitted with 12 security cameras and timers for site lighting. In all, 14 parking spaces and one handicapped parking space are planned as well as four bicycle parking spaces.

Currently, an Enterprise Rental Car business is located at 4213 Duke St. There is currently a Taco Bell restaurant in Alexandria at 231 S. Van Dorn St. The first Taco Bell opened in 1962 in Downey, Calif.

The location for the future Taco Bell is shown below (Google maps); see a diagram below the map.

PHOTO is a rendering of the planned Taco Bell on Duke Street; rendering courtesy of City