Board approves Chipotle drive-through at 2037 South Irby Street
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Summary
The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special exception to allow a drive‑through restaurant at 2037 South Irby Street in the Activity Center district. City staff said the parcel was recently rezoned to AC, buffering will address impacts to nearby apartments, and vehicle access to Irby Street will require South Carolina DOT review.
The Florence Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve a special exception allowing a drive‑through restaurant at 2037 South Irby Street (BZA‑2025‑16) during its Oct. 31 meeting.
City staff said the property was recently rezoned to AC (Activity Center) to provide flexibility for building placement and that, unlike Commercial General zoning, drive through restaurants in AC require review and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Staff told the board the property has apartments immediately to the north and that a buffer yard will be required as part of the subsequent site plan review to screen the development from residential areas.
The site plan presented to the board shows a standard drive‑through layout. Staff also said the map/site plan lists the tenant as Chipotle and that the development is part of a multi‑parcel plan that includes a Scrubbies car wash and a new Salvation Army store. Staff reported no phone calls from neighbors prior to the hearing.
Board members asked whether access to Irby Street would be allowed and were told any work in the public right‑of‑way or new curb cuts would be subject to review by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. The board also asked about signage and lighting; staff said the AC zoning district has specific sign regulations and that lighting and noise are handled during site plan review.
A motion to approve the special exception as presented was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The approval allows the applicant—listed in the record as South Urby Florence Development LLC, with Tidewater Engineering shown as applicant/engineer—to proceed to the site plan and permitting stage, where buffer yard specifications, signage, and any required SCDOT approvals will be addressed.