Planning commission recommends drive-through at 226 Maple Avenue West, adds traffic-control condition
September 09, 2026 | Vienna, Fairfax County, Virginia
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The Planning Commission on Sept. 9 voted to recommend approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals of a conditional use permit for a drive-through at 226 Maple Avenue West for Bayat Al Mocha Cafe.
Deputy Planning Director Kelly O'Brien presented the application, describing the site as a 1.53-acre property with an existing four-story commercial building where a ground-floor bank space would be repurposed as a cafe with two drive-through lanes. "It is a conditional use permit to have a drive through facility," O'Brien said, noting the applicant proposed hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and supplied a traffic analysis addressing stacking, peak hour trips and vehicle queuing.
The commission adopted staff-recommended conditions and added an explicit requirement for a pole sign at the back-of-queue area directing customers to turn left toward the exit rather than loop around the building. The amendment also revised the condition language on on-site stacking so the drive-through must provide on-site stacking for a maximum of 11 vehicles. The main motion, as amended, passed on roll call with four ayes, one nay and one recusal; the recommendation will go to the BZA next week.
Applicant architect Sal Mkhadashi described the cafe as a "really small shop, boutique shop" and said the tenant expects modest demand and intends to comply with code. "We didn't want like to have a long line," Mkhadashi said, adding the tenant has discussed operational options including staff taking orders to avoid long queues.
Commissioners and staff emphasized that the CUP recommendation does not remove the applicant's responsibility to prevent queuing from extending into the Maple Avenue right-of-way; Transportation Engineer Andrew Jinx said the town could require pavement markings and other site controls and would work with the owner if on-street blocking occurred. The planning commission's recommendation memo will summarize the conditions and the discussion for the BZA.
Deputy Planning Director Kelly O'Brien presented the application, describing the site as a 1.53-acre property with an existing four-story commercial building where a ground-floor bank space would be repurposed as a cafe with two drive-through lanes. "It is a conditional use permit to have a drive through facility," O'Brien said, noting the applicant proposed hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and supplied a traffic analysis addressing stacking, peak hour trips and vehicle queuing.
The commission adopted staff-recommended conditions and added an explicit requirement for a pole sign at the back-of-queue area directing customers to turn left toward the exit rather than loop around the building. The amendment also revised the condition language on on-site stacking so the drive-through must provide on-site stacking for a maximum of 11 vehicles. The main motion, as amended, passed on roll call with four ayes, one nay and one recusal; the recommendation will go to the BZA next week.
Applicant architect Sal Mkhadashi described the cafe as a "really small shop, boutique shop" and said the tenant expects modest demand and intends to comply with code. "We didn't want like to have a long line," Mkhadashi said, adding the tenant has discussed operational options including staff taking orders to avoid long queues.
Commissioners and staff emphasized that the CUP recommendation does not remove the applicant's responsibility to prevent queuing from extending into the Maple Avenue right-of-way; Transportation Engineer Andrew Jinx said the town could require pavement markings and other site controls and would work with the owner if on-street blocking occurred. The planning commission's recommendation memo will summarize the conditions and the discussion for the BZA.
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