"The problem? New drive-thrus have been banned in Portland for several years now, as part of a broader effort to limit auto-oriented development and make it safer for people to bike and walk around the city. City policy allows some drive-thru facilities to be reestablished on properties where they used to exist. The old Division Dairy Queen, mostly known for its walk-up window, previously featured a small drive-thru."
"That policy seemed like a slam dunk for the business owner, but it came with a caveat. The city stipulates that drive-thrus cannot be reestablished if use of the former drive-thru facility is discontinued for three continuous years. It's been more than six years since the Dairy Queen on Division shut down. Mohanbir Grewal, the Dairy Queen franchisee, isn't walking away from his drive-thru plans without a fight."
The former Dairy Queen on Southeast Division and 56th Ave was demolished in 2019 after decades in business. The lot across from Franklin High School remains vacant despite plans to rebuild the restaurant. The franchisee and property developers are in a stalemate with the city over the right to include a drive-thru. Letters to neighbors appealed to nostalgia and urged residents to contact the city supporting a drive-thru. Portland bans new drive-thrus but allows reestablishment where they previously existed unless discontinued for three continuous years. The drive-thru has been discontinued for more than six years, so the franchisee requested a land use review now open for public comment.
Read at Portland Mercury
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