10 ATTACHMENTS 8-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Piper stated that if there is one additional car, that car would go into the street, and one or two cars going into the street will block any traffic going through. Chair O'Connor reiterated that staff is confident that the cars will not get into the street now. He indicated that he still does not understand why staff would not be more conservative and move the ordering point at construction time so the applicant would not have to move it later. He stated that if there was a really good reason for that, he would not want to take it away. Mr. Weinstein referred the question to the applicant. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS RE- OPENED. Ms. Kerr stated that she appreciated the comment and that there is a good reason for not moving the ordering point. She explained that in all fast -food restaurants, the drive -thru efficiencies are a science to get as many customers as possible to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. She noted that 50 percent of the customers come through the drive -thru and efficiency is critical, and wait time is job one. She indicated that when they are busy, it takes seven cars to fill the order, so that queue ends up full between the pick -up window and the menu board, and then there is very little stacking behind the menu board because the people waiting are between the menu board and the window. She added that there is a recommendation from the Traffic Engineer to open that way, with the opportunity to move the ordering point down the road. Chair O'Connor commented that it makes sense that if the ordering point is moved, the customers will be waiting the same amount of time but just not ordering ahead. Commissioner Ritter asked if it would be seven cars on each lane. Ms. Kerr said yes. Commissioner Piper inquired if the word "queue" means between the menu board and the food delivery and if that is the same as the stacking issue. Ms. Kerr said yes. Commissioner Allen asked Mr. Tassano how he will know if there is an issue to address with the drive -thru. Mr. Tassano replied that staff has an evaluation process if they see issues out there. He stated that one of the first steps he normally does is look to the applicant to time and maintain the drive -thru. He noted that they want to get as many as those people through, and a line that is too long is not something they want. He pointed out that at In -N -Out Burger, an employee walks out to the parking lot and takes orders in the backup lane, and this drive -thru would encourage the provision of more stacking in EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 22, 2014 Page 10 of 12