The Laredo Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved a conditional‑use permit for a restaurant with a drive‑through at 7617 Peaceful Meadow Court, but only after adding two conditions to staff’s recommendation: the side door that opens into a drive lane must be taken out of service and the drive‑through will be limited to a single lane.

Staff recommended denial of the conditional‑use permit, citing operational safety and parking deficiencies. A Planning Department staff member told the commission, “Primarily on parking. We are also very concerned about the positioning of the drive through…they're also proposing, their site plan proposes for a double, drive through. Doesn't meet the maneuvering space requirements.” The staff member added that a door on the west side of the building “is not in compliance with the building code because…somebody would step right into the lane of traffic.”

The applicant, Luis A. Estrada of Luis A. Estrada Properties LLC, was present and the record lists him as owner and representative. Commissioners discussed the staff concerns and proposed conditions. Commissioner Delmaris moved to approve staff’s recommendation conditioned on the west‑side door being disabled and the drive‑through being limited to a single lane; Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor; the motion passed.

Why it matters: Planning staff flagged both safety and code‑compliance issues that, if unaddressed, could create vehicular conflicts and unsafe pedestrian egress. The added conditions are intended to mitigate those immediate risks while allowing the business use to proceed with changes to the site plan.

What was discussed: Commissioners and staff reviewed site‑plan details, including whether small parking/queue stalls were intended as parking or waiting/queue areas, and whether an existing drive‑through at the adjacent building altered staff’s safety assessment. Staff noted they could not verify that a building permit had been issued for the prior drive‑through and said the current configuration does not meet maneuvering standards.

Next steps: The approval is conditional. Staff told the commission that if the applicant refuses the added conditions, the next steps would involve a determination by legal staff; the commission did not adopt a specific enforcement timeline during the hearing.