Pollo Campero Seeks Approval To Build New Restaurant In Herndon

Herndon VA

08 February, 2021

11:48 AM

Description

HERNDON, VA — Town of Herndon Planning Commission will be considering an application for a special exemption Monday night to allow the Pollo Campero restaurant to relocate within town limits in order to construct a new restaurant with a drive-through window. Pollo Campero, which is currently located 496 Elden St., seeks approval for its plan to move to 1131 Elden St., a vacant service station that was previously home to Herndon Auto Care. At its current location, the chicken restaurant does not have a drive-through window. In order to move to the new location, it needs to obtain a special exemption from the the town that would allow it to operate a drive-through service accessory, according to town documents. As part of its proposal, Pollo Campero would demolish the existing structure and build a new 2,991-square-foot restaurant with indoor dining space for up to 80 customers. In addition, it would install an outdoor dining area, as well as a walk-up window for takeout orders. Town staff reviewed Pollo Campero's application and reported that it is in compliance with the town code, although some aspects will need to be reverified once the project is under site plan review. Staff is also recommending approval for a zoning ordinance text amendment to reduce the minimum front setback in the Commercial Services zoning district. The amendment would allow the restaurant to be placed with less than the 50 feet setback from the front property line, which is what is currently required. In justifying this recommendation, staff wrote: "This zoning ordinance text amendment will provide the applicant with more flexibility in the location of the restaurant and will also help achieve the vision of the South Elden Small Area Plan, which envisioned redevelopment along Elden Street with more urban building and site design typologies to include closer proximity between streets and buildings, a focus on pedestrian access and design, and a relocation of parking and other vehicle-centric facilities to the rear of buildings." Staff also found the application to be consistent with the South Elden Small Area Plan, which has been integrated into the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Previously, the Town Council had asked staff to pursue funding to improve the sidewalk on the east side of Elden Street, between Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road. Pollo Campero's proposed streetcape improvements for the new property would include transforming the existing 4-foot wide non-ADA compliant sidewalk to a 6-foot wide sidewalk, which would be ADA compliant. Town staff recommended the Planning Commission approve the proposal as amended. If the commissioners vote Monday to approve the special exception amendment, it would go on to the Town Council for a public hearing and final approval.