Bradenton Council Grants Special Use for Drive-through, Development Project
By Lisa Neff
Development plans brewing on Fifth Avenue Drive East could produce another coffee drive-through for morning commuters in Bradenton.
The Bradenton City Council voted 4-1 during a Dec. 10 meeting at city hall to grant a special use permit for a drive-through restaurant in the urban center, though there are more steps in the 0.3696-acre project, which also involves a proposed retail-office building.
Jamie Schindewolf, of the city’s planning and community development department, described what’s proposed on paper as a very busy, conceptual site plan “that needs adjustment.”
The cleared development site, owned by Vott Partners LLC, is at 126 Fifth Ave. Drive E., 604 Second St. E. and 608 Second St. E. near a couple of existing operations, including a Starbucks and a KFC, as well as a planned car wash.
The city’s future land use map designates the property as in the urban central business district, and the city’s zoning map classifies the property as in the urban center T-5 district, which identifies drive-through facilities as special uses.
So the owner, working with the city on reviews of the development plans, requested a special use permit.
The owner’s agent, Abed Suwaity, told city council members, of a desire for a drive-through that would bring in a Dutch Bros Coffee or Black Rifle Coffee Co. Hours would be about 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
“We’re in the process of trying to purchase KFC,” Suwaity said. “We currently own the Starbucks as well.”
He said another coffee drive-through would complement the Starbucks, 102 Manatee Ave. E., which Suwaity described as the busiest in the state.
The request went to the council with the planning commission’s 6-1 vote to recommend approval of the permit with stipulations, including:
• Access points exist on two frontages;
• Buildings are located an adequate distance from property lines and streets;
• Adequate screening or buffers exist;
• Adequate ingress and egress exist for auto and pedestrian safety;
• Signage addresses glare, traffic safety and harmony with surrounding properties;
• The proposed use is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.
The council’s discussion focused on the impact of another drive-through on traffic congestion and pedestrian movement.
Vice Mayor Lisa Gonzalez Moore, who voted against granting the special use permit, said she wanted to see more pedestrian-friendly uses in the area and raised concerns about vehicles stacking up at the drive-through.
“I think we’re moving away from the goal,” said Moore, of Ward 4.
Other council members and Mayor Gene Brown acknowledged congestion in the area but said a drive-through was appropriate.
“I think this is actually making this area better,” Brown said. “I think this could make that corner better.”
At the same meeting, the council heard an update on an offer to purchase the city-owned shuffleboard court and contiguous property at 1403 Ballard Park Drive, 1525 Ballard Park Drive and 907 15th St. W.
The land was added to the city’s surplus property list in August, and the city’s community redevelopment agency received an unsolicited bid to purchase the site in late October.
Now the CRA is negotiating the sale for a redevelopment that would involve mixed-market, mixed-income housing.
The sale will not affect the city’s current contract on the shuffleboard court, which ends in March 2028, according to materials presented at the meeting.