The Zoning Commission approved final action on a map amendment submitted by McDonald’s Corporation (case 24-13) that facilitates rebuilding and updating the existing restaurant and retaining a drive-through, voting 5-0-0.

Michelle (Office of Zoning staff) summarized new exhibits in the record and noted a submission from the SMD commissioner in support. Commissioners discussed the Office of Planning’s recommendation that IZ+ not apply to the map amendment and recent NCPC correspondence indicating the case fell under an exemption (chapter 8).

Commissioner Wright said the change "is not a new drive through. It's essentially just allowing the old restaurant to be updated and keep the existing drive through," and argued the map amendment would allow the site to be rebuilt with updated facilities while preserving the existing drive-through configuration.

Several commissioners said the Commission should explore a streamlined process — such as a special-exception text amendment — for future cases where an existing drive-through is being reestablished; Office of Planning staff acknowledged the suggestion but said such text amendments are not currently prioritized among many pending items.

Commissioner Wright moved approval of case 24-13; the commission voted by roll call: Commissioner Wright, yes; Commissioner Stidham, yes; Chairman Anthony Hood, yes; Commissioner Miller, yes; Commissioner Imamura, yes. The vote was recorded as 5-0-0.