Are drive-throughs allowed in Ferndale?
Only in one district, and only with special approval. Drive-throughs are a special land use in MXD-2, the corridor mixed-use district, and are not permitted anywhere else in the city (Section 2.05). They are not allowed in the CBD, MXD-1, or any residential or industrial district.
Because it is a special land use, a drive-through requires a site plan, a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and final approval by City Council after its own hearing, judged against the standards in Section 10.04 (Section 10.03.A). Additional use-specific standards also apply, marked in the use table.
A special land use approval expires in 2 years if not acted on, though CED can extend it up to 18 months, and a denied application faces a 2-year resubmission bar (Section 10.05).
Before designing around a drive-through, confirm the site is zoned MXD-2 and discuss feasibility with CED at 248-336-4370.
Sources
Full text: Ferndale ordinance on city-hosted PDF (Municipal Code Online mirror). Applies to district: MXD-2.
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