Breaking News
Coronavirus

Zoning change approved for new Taco Bell in Parkersburg

By Evan Bevins 2 min read

PARKERSBURG -- The Municipal Planning Commission on Friday approved a rezoning petition for a new Taco Bell planned on East Seventh Street.

The request moves on to Parkersburg City Council for its approval.

The petition was made by Jack and Barbara Haddox, who own four parcels on Seventh Street near Race Street and have entered an agreement for Trinity Holdings LLC to buy the site and build a Taco Bell. But three of the four parcels are split-zoned, with B-2 business zoning facing Seventh Street and R-3 residential on the back of the lots.

The change was endorsed by the city's development staff and multiple surrounding property owners. The commission approved it on a 6-0 vote.

Nick Akers, with CENTEC Engineering, which is overseeing the due diligence phase of the project, appeared at the hearing on behalf of the petitioners. He said a timetable for the project has not been determined, but if and when council approves the zoning change, they will move into a more detailed design phase.

The staff report on the petition noted initial plans for the restaurant meet city requirements for lighting, parking and surfacing materials, as well as a privacy fence separating the lot from residential areas.

The ordinance rezoning the parcels will likely appear on the agenda for the July 28 council meeting. It requires passage on two readings to be approved.

The commission had a quorum of seven members in attendance, but only six voted because Development Director Rickie Yeager was filling in in the city planner role. Yeager told commission members a new city planner, Janney Lockman, has been hired and will start with the city on Aug. 3.

Two members of the commission, Francis Angelos and Luke Peters, participated in the meeting via phone. The other five members wore masks and sat more than 6 feet apart in City Council chambers to observe social-distancing guidelines because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Be cognizant of talking through your masks, into the microphone," Commission President Charlie Matthews said at the start of the meeting. "These are unique times."

Starting at /week.