ONTARIO — Raising Cane’s received approval from Ontario Planning Commission on Wednesday for building design variance requests at 720 N. Lexington-Springmill Road.
Planning commission members approved setback encroachments in the property line to allow for a building canopy and double drive-thru construction.
Paperwork filed by OLIO Development Group states the construction will encroach about five feet into the 30 feet required setback from the road on the north side near West 4th Street of the property and about 2 feet into the west side of the property.
The approved encroachments will allow for “adequate parking and drive aisle widths to navigate the site,” according to the paperwork. Raising Cane’s also plans to relocate the south curb for traffic navigation.
Planning Commission chair Jill Knight asked about drive-thru and entrance traffic.
“I guess my only question is if I’m coming in off of 4th Street, you’d have to watch the cars coming out of the drive-thru,” she said.
Zoning inspector Michael Morton said Culver’s on Lexington-Springmill Road has a similar drive-thru and parking arrangement. There have not been any traffic accidents reported since the restaurant opened in April.
Jennifer Krack, OLIO Development Group design and development manager, said Raising Cane’s sometimes sets up traffic cones for better traffic flow during busy times.
“Cane’s does try to be a good neighbor, and during peak times, they will cone off certain areas to help better that site management,” she said.
Mayor Kris Knapp noted the Cane’s building will be smaller than the current Denny’s building on the same site.
“They should have more area to work with for the parking lot, so that should help alleviate some of the traffic concerns,” he said.
Raising Cane’s is planning a 3,180 square-foot restaurant with two drive-thru lanes and 41 parking spots, according to blueprint plans.
The city suggested only allowing right turns out of the parking lot on both the Lexington-Springmill and 4th Street exits.
Ontario’s zoning codes state new businesses must connect parking lots with neighboring properties to reduce traffic on main roads, but planning commission approved Cane’s request not to do this.
A topographic grade change between the neighboring property would result in decreased visibility for drivers if parking lots were connected, according to paperwork.
Krack said OLIO Development Group plans to start demolition work in October or November once they receive permits.
Denny’s last day open will be around Sept. 10, according to an anonymous employee.
Raising Cane’s public relations team previously told Richland Source that it plans to open its doors in summer 2025.
