While much of the 315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue property has changed quite dramatically over the last couple of years, the one holdout has been the Wells Fargo drive-thru that’s long-remained on the eastern elevation of the property, due to a long-standing lease.

Now it sounds like Redstone, the property’s current owner is looking to swap out the banking drive-thru and ATM with a new concept.

A drive-thru juice bar.

On the agenda for the Decatur Planning Commission this month, a request from Redstone for “an exception to the special pedestrian area” to build a drive-thru juice bar in place of the Wells Fargo drive-thru.

Redstone’s note to the Planning Commission states that they plan to reduce the number of drive-thru lanes from four to just the one closest to the building to accommodate the new business.  In exchange for removing three of the four drive-thru lanes, Redstone is requesting 9 new angled parking spaces fronting Ponce de Leon Place.

Redstone’s note to the commission states that the parking space would be buffered by “newly installed landscaping between the sidewalk and asphalt area.”

The proposed plan is going before the Planning Commission because Decatur’s special pedestrian area regulations do not permit parking between a building and the street or “drive through facilities” within the Special Pedestrian Zone, which includes this stretch of Ponce Place.  However, the commission can grant an exception after a public hearing, in consideration of the following standards:

1. The suitability of the proposed exception in view of the use and development of adjacent and nearby property.

2. The effect that the proposed exception will have on the existing use or usability of adjacent or nearby property.

3. The impact that the proposed development will have on the public safety, traffic on the public streets, transportation facilities, utilities and other public services.

4. The impact that the proposed development will have on established property values and on the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the residents of the city.

5. The economic or marketing impact that these guidelines may have on the property owner or developer.

Photos and plan images courtesy of the Decatur Planning Commission agenda materials packet