Parking, Traffic Concerns Raised in Maple Grove Dave’s Hot Chicken Proposal

The Maple Grove City Council will face a significant decision at its next meeting: whether to approve two new restaurants that some believe would cause significant parking and traffic safety issues.

Edina-based Launch Properties is proposing a Dave’s Hot Chicken and another restaurant called Hope Breakfast Bar for a location along Elm Creek Boulevard. Both restaurants would be adjoined in a 5,700-square-foot building constructed on existing parking spaces between Red Lobster and Malone’s Bar and Grill.

Traffic study and parking analysis presented at this week’s planning commission meeting found the site suitable for the proposal.

“The proposed development is expected to generate fewer weekday and p.m. trips when compared to the traffic generated from the previous movie theater use,” said Jesse Corrow, Maple Grove city planner.

But there were significant questions surrounding that study, which was done by an outside engineering firm. Some members believed it didn’t paint the full picture for traffic and parking lot safety at peak operating times. 

“I already am very familiar with how busy it is today,” said Joe Piket, Maple Grove Planning Commission member. “What I saw tonight, even taking both sides of numbers here, tells me it’s still going to be a very busy parking lot that’s almost going to become a nightmare.”

A.J. Stevens, co-owner of nearby Malone’s Bar & Grill, expressed similar concerns, called the proposal “scary” regarding the potential impact on his customers. Stevens also addressed the commission back in July about the potential development, which was tabled to allow for the traffic study.

Four-Way Intersection ‘Has Issues’

The potential for development at the site has been long discussed. The former AMC movie theater on the site became a Floor & Decor, which commission members pointed out isn’t a high-traffic generator. However, city officials have raised concerns not only about the busy signalized intersection at Elm Creek Boulevard and Main Street, but also the four-way unsignalized intersection on Main Street used to enter the development. 

“There’s a perception that it operates poorly,” said John Hagen, the city’s transportation operations engineer. “And I think one of the main reasons why is because it has multi-lane approaches.”

Hagen said there are multiple options for the unsignalized intersection, including adding a traffic signal and creating a roundabout. Those options would come at a cost to the city.

Stevens said the intersection had roughly 50 accidents last year, according to information he received from police.

Hagen said the severity of crashes and crash rates for the intersection were actually lower when compared to similar intersections, based on a statewide average over the last five years.

As far as the development plan itself, city officials say the proposed building is 1,800 square feet smaller than the one initially proposed last July. The proposed building was also shifted east, farther away from Malone’s, Corrow said.

“Staff has no concerns with the proposed development,” said Corrow.

Dave’s Hot Chicken was recently named “America’s Fastest-Growing Restaurant,” according to city documents. The restaurant would have no drive through. A company official told commission members that 75 percent of its sales are generated from takeout or third-party delivery. 

Hope Breakfast Bar, like its name suggests, would focus on breakfast and operate until 3 p.m. 

Proposal Recommended for Denial in 4-3 Vote

Some planning commission members were satisfied with the development proposal, though acknowledging parking won’t be ideal. Member Chuck Lenthe said the proposal is better than having no proposal at all.

“I’ve looked at the vast expanse of parking area that is there, and recognize that if we do nothing, the area is terribly overparked,” said Lenthe.

Planning Commission Chair Craig Lamothe said additional development will eventually occur for the parking space designated for development. But he stressed the need for a lower-volume use and raised concerns about too much vehicle traffic weaving around the parking lot.

“Something else needs to be there,” said Lamothe. “I think these are the wrong uses putting too much of an impact on this area that’s going to cause it not to function well, potentially harm pedestrian safety.” 

The Maple Grove Planning Commission ended up voting 4-3 against the proposal. However, the Maple Grove City Council has the final say on whether development moves forward.

Maple Grove