Sec. 26-116. - Drive-through facilities.

This section sets forth the performance standards for the construction and implementation of drive-through pharmacies and financial institutions in a manner which ensures the on-going compatibility of such uses with neighboring residential development and other sensitive receptors such as but not limited to schools, hospitals, convalescent homes, etc. A conditional use permit shall be obtained prior to establishing and operating a drive-through facility in a commercial, mixed use and industrial zones, and Specific Plan zones where applicable, provided that the facility and/or site complies with the following minimum requirements:

(a)

Drive-through facilities shall not be within five hundred (500) feet of another drive-through facility. This shall be measured from the building and/or queuing lane, whichever is closer.

(b)

Area requirements. Every drive-through facility shall be located on a site having an area of not less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet and a minimum street frontage of not less than one hundred (100) feet.

(c)

Drive-through facilities are prohibited in the West Covina Downtown Plan area.

(d)

Adequate separation between drive-through facility and adjacent residential developments and other sensitive receptors, as determined by the Community Development Director or their designee and/or Planning Commission, shall be provided by the following methods:

(1)

A minimum distance of fifty (50) feet between the property lines of any residential zone or residential development or other sensitive receptor and the outer perimeter of the drive-through lane(s), outdoor play area, and outdoor seating area shall be maintained.

(2)

The drive-through facility shall not be located within a 500-foot radius of a school or park unless mitigating factors exist.

(3)

A minimum of five-foot (5'-0") wide landscaped buffer and/or minimum six-foot (6'-0") high wall along the property line shall be provided. Said landscape buffer shall be landscaped with specimen plant materials and trees appropriate in size and type to create a solid plant screen, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director or their designee.

(e)

Design standards. The following standards shall apply to the design of any new development providing a drive- through service.

(1)

Drive-through lanes shall not obstruct the circulation routes necessary for access to the property, parking areas (including backup area of parking spaces), and pedestrian walkways.

(2)

Pedestrian walkways shall be emphasized by enriched pavement or striping.

(3)

Drive-through facilities within an integrated shopping center shall be consistent with the center in terms of architectural design and detailing, roof material, exterior finish materials and color.

(4)

Each drive-through aisle shall be appropriately screened with a combination of landscaping, low decorative walls, and/or berms to prevent headlight glare from impacting adjacent residences, businesses, public rights-of-way, and parking lots.

(5)

Landscaping along the drive-through aisle shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in width.

(6)

Landscaping and fencing shall be consistent with article III division 5 and trees should be provided to buffer adjacent uses.

(7)

Decorative paving shall be used at project entries and in pedestrian areas to enhance the pedestrian environment.

(8)

New buildings with drive-through facilities shall orient the primary building entrance toward the street to provide direct access to the public sidewalk.

(f)

Queuing. Proposed drive-through facilities shall require a parking and queuing study that is based on similar operations, addressing the anticipated traffic volumes and vehicular stacking needs of the proposed business.

(1)

Queuing lanes shall be a minimum length of two hundred (200) feet starting from the center of a pick-up station or window. Queuing length may vary dependent on the queuing study.

(2)

Queuing lanes shall not interfere with the use of or access to any parking or loading spaces.

(g)

Noise levels shall not increase ambient noise levels by five (5) dba as measured at all property lines abutting residential development and other sensitive receptors. This may be achieved through one (1) or more of the following methods, as determined by the Community Development Director or their designee and/or Planning Commission:

(1)

All deliveries and exterior building and landscaping maintenance and cleaning activities may be limited as necessary to achieve compatibility with adjacent sensitive land uses.

(2)

Hours of operation may be limited as necessary to achieve compatibility with adjacent sensitive land uses.

(3)

The applicant shall provide a noise study prepared by an acoustical engineer indicating that the proposed operation will not increase ambient noise levels by five (5) dBA as measured at all property lines abutting residential development and other sensitive receptors.

(4)

The applicant shall provide the plans and specifications for any potential noise sources (e.g., the speaker system, trash compactor, delivery trucks, etc.).

(5)

If speakers are utilized, the speaker box shall be oriented away from adjacent residences and other sensitive receptors.

(h)

The site shall be served by an improved arterial or collector street adequate in width to carry the quantity of traffic generated by the use without significantly lowering the existing level of service of that street. The Community Development Director or their designee and/or Planning Commission may require the applicant to prepare and submit a traffic study which addresses:

(1)

The placement, design, and adequacy of the vehicle queuing aisle.

(2)

The use demand for the proposed facility.

(3)

On-site circulation and parking lot design.

(i)

Such other requirements and/or standards as deemed by the Community Development Director or their designee and/or Planning Commission to reasonably relate to the purpose of this division may be required as a condition of approval.

(j)

Findings. The Planning Commission shall not grant a conditional use permit for a drive-through facility without finding:

(1)

Said facility has adequate vehicle queuing distance, including with due consideration for menu board location, clear of any adjacent public right of way, and shall not create any vehicular or pedestrian travel hazards as demonstrated in a traffic study prepared to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

(2)

That the project substantially conforms with the purpose, intent and provisions of the General Plan, any applicable Specific Plan, or other applicable regulation.

(3)

That the location and design of the facility is compatible with surrounding existing uses, includes a prominent main entrance at street or lot frontage, attractive landscaping, and includes sufficient pedestrian amenities, and interior floor area.

(4)

The said facility includes sufficient emissions controls to prevent idling vehicles, tunneling of emissions, and associated impacts on employees, visitors, and nearby sensitive receptors.

(5)

That said facility includes buffering sufficient to control any spillover impacts, including but not limited to noise, light, and debris that may impact surrounding sensitive receptors.

(6)

That said facility, if located within one hundred fifty (150) feet of a residential zone, includes appropriate limits on hours of operation of the drive-through.

(7)

That said facility is not located in an area of existing overconcentration of drive-through facilities and is not located within a 500-foot radius of a school or park unless mitigating factors exist.

(Ord. No. 2519, § 5(Exh. A), 2-20-24)