Goodyear approves unnamed fast-food drive-thru retail concept

Goodyear City Council approved a retail restaurant building that includes a drive-thru on 1.78 acres of land near the Sedella community in Goodyear.

The retail building would have a drive-thru line capacity at the rear of approximately 10 cars. The drive-thru pickup window will not face the main roadway. Additionally, the spot will house 45 parking spaces and two bike racks.

The restaurant building is also restricted to no more than 50% of the structure being occupied by the drive-thru tenant. Two other retail shops will be able to occupy the same 7000 square foot space.

Public comments during feedback sessions with the city were well received, according to city staff. Sedella residents voiced support for commercial uses as residents did not want to see the area potentially rezoned for industrial use. Residents also expressed a desire for high-quality retail development.

According to Christian Williams, principal planner for Goodyear, the primary occupant could occupy half the area.

“I'll give an example: If a Wendy's decided they want it to go in there and operate a drive-thru, a Wendy's is about somewhere between 3000 and 4000 square feet,” he said. “This then gives you an opportunity for four 1000 square foot uses or a couple of 1500 square foot uses. So you can fit a yogurt shop in there, a dry cleaner in there or even a nail salon, for example.”

According to the agenda narrative, the approved Retail Building with drive-thru will be approximately 500 feet from the nearest residential property within Sedella and 582 feet from the nearest playground within the Sedella community.

The city believes the building orientation and shape will not be materially detrimental to those working or shopping within the area, neighborhood or public welfare.

Before Monday’s retail approval, the city said developers in the area unsuccessfully tried to develop retail and commercial opportunities as a rationale for developing warehouses adjacent to the community.