Chipotle seeking to move

Eatery wants to take up residence next to Mission BBQ

The reinvention of “restaurant row” in Mentor continues.

Mentor Planning Commission on June 18 will consider a conditional-use permit for a new Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 3,660-square-foot spot next to Mission BBQ, at 7787 Reynolds Road.

The proposal includes a drivethrough and 368-square-foot patio at the former Bravo Italian Restaurant site.

“Chipotle’s relocation to the site adjacent to Mission BBQ will allow their customers the convenience of a pick-up window, which is of paramount importance to those frequenting the establishment,” Mentor Economic Development Director Kevin Malecek said.

Outdoor dining and drinking areas, and drivethrough service for restaurants are conditionally permitted in the B-2, General Business District. In addition, Chipotle is requesting architectural review for minor changes to the building colors and added features.

The proposal calls for interior seating accommodating 64 people and 24 more outdoors.

Business hours would be from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily.

The applicant has indicated that up to nine employees would work per shift.

The site plan shows an 11-foot-wide drive-through lane to be placed along the north side of the building. The lane would require eliminating seven existing parking spaces at the rear of the unit and one handicap space in front.

Although there is a total loss of 13 spaces from the previous layout, parking counts still fall within the minimum requirements for Chipotle, Mission Barbeque and Starbucks Coffee, according to a city staff report to the commission.

A two-tone grey color scheme is proposed for the exterior.

The administration’s recommended conditions of approval include the following:

• The light pole location at the end of the drive lane is a hazard and shall be relocated and/or incorporated into a planting island.

• Protective bollards shall be installed around the proposed patio area in accordance with city Parking Lot Safety Standards.

• Patio dimensions and fence/railing specifications shall be provided on the plans as part of the final building permit review. Patio fencing shall match the style and color of the metal window and door framework.

• There shall be no music permitted on the outdoor patio without approval by the commission.

• The existing parking lot serving all three tenants shall be repaired, and the entire parking lot resurfaced and restriped.

The original building was constructed in 1997. Bravo closed in 2018 and Mission BBQ opened in a portion of the building in February. Starbucks opened next door in 2019.

Malecek was unconcerned about the existing Chipotle to the south remaining vacant, despite ingress and egress issues.

It’s a high-visibility site on one of the most soughtafter and trafficked streets in the city for retail or restaurants,” he said. “There will be an appropriate user for the site at some point soon.”