Yamato Road Parcel Cleared for Restaurant, Drive-Through Use

202 West Yamato Road (Credit: Google Earth)

The Boca Raton city council has approved an amendment to the zoning code that will allow restaurant uses in a Yamato Road shopping center.

In 2000, the 4.06-acre property located at 202 West Yamato Road, known as “Yamato Crossing,” was approved for construction by city officials with the prohibition of “free-standing restaurant buildings with drive-throughs.” Now, a quarter-century later, the market has changed and the property owner, Konover South, based in Deerfield Beach, has sought to remove the limitation.

When the shopping center was first approved, space was reserved for an approximately 3,345 square foot bank with drive-through operations. Since then, brick-and-mortar banks have become less common due to the proliferation of online banking, prompting the property owner to seek new options to fill the space. The primary buildings on the lot are two separate retail buildings with 24,000 feet of space.

A restaurant use was initially sought on the site in 1999, however neighbors protested due to traffic concerns, with the developer ultimately settling on a bank use. After 25 years, however, a banking tenant was never found. The city recommended the change be approved, with officials stating in a memorandum that there have been significant roadway improvements completed in the area surrounding the would-be restaurant outparcel.

“As demonstrated by the current traffic study, if a restaurant with drive-throughs is constructed on the undeveloped portion of the property, it will meet the traffic performance standards set forth by Palm Beach County, and the project is not expected to have a significant impact on non-municipal roadways or intersections,” the memo said.

A tenant has not yet been selected, however the property owner has reported several are interested in occupying the site.