Planning commission hears Kimco request for Chipotle pickup window at 5117 Cedar Street

The Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission heard a public hearing Sept. 10 on a specific‑use permit application from Kimco Realty to allow a Chipotle pickup window at 5117 Cedar Street, in the city’s Urban Village Downtown district.

Greg Reed, a Kimco representative, described the site as the former Randalls parcel acquired in 2021 and said the redevelopment includes a new Trader Joe’s, multiple small retail spaces and an outparcel for Chipotle. “So we're excited to request the SUP for the new Chipotle,” Reed said during the presentation. He described the Chipotle model as app‑based ordering with no menu board or speaker at the drive‑through window and said the site plan shows eight stacking spaces and more than 180 parking spaces (130 are required by code).

City staff, represented by Monique Alejos, reviewed the applicable code and staff findings. “Per section 24‑5‑37, drive thrus can only be permitted through an approved specific use permit,” Alejos told the commission, and noted the project was evaluated for compliance with parking and stacking standards. Staff said the city’s traffic consultant reviewed trip generation and “did not have a concern for this project.”

Commissioners asked practical questions about landscaping, screening and whether future tenants could add a menu board or speaker. Staff and the applicant said any tenant that later sought a menu board or speaker would need an amendment to the SUP or a new SUP, and commissioners discussed adding recommended conditions to the commission’s future recommendation. Staff invited written comments through Thursday, Oct. 1, to zoning@belairtx.gov to be included in next month’s packet.

The hearing was informational; the commission will take formal deliberation and any vote at its next meeting. No final action on the SUP was taken Sept. 10.