The applicant, Ryan Alcala, asked the city to rezone a lot near Belt Line and Plano roads to allow for a reduction in parking. The addition of a drive-thru is what prompted the need for a special permit, said Sam Chavez, the city's interim director of development services, at the Sept. 13 council meeting.
The 750-square-foot restaurant will share the property with the existing 25,000-square-foot YouFit Health Club. It will include two drive-thru lanes with 19 queueing spaces and 11 parking spaces for a preorder and walkup window.
Alcala said there is no dine-in component, and that about 85% of the restaurant’s business is expected to come from the drive-thru. Salad and Go has another location in Richardson at Campbell Road and Jay Ell Drive.
Council Members Jennifer Justice, Joe Corcoran and Arefin Shamsul spoke against the drive-thru. Corcoran said within a 1-square-mile radius of the Plano and Belt Line intersection are 11 existing drive-thru restaurants.
Others argued a healthy, fast option would fill a niche in the area.
“This is something the east side doesn’t have—it’s truly a healthy alternative and a product that speaks loudly to ... people that are wanting to have alternatives to the fried foods that are out there,” Council Member Bob Dubey said.
The request was ultimately approved 4-3 with Justice, Corcoran and Shamsul opposed.
