Previous Story
Zoning board approves small drive-through resto in Fina Sisu
The Saipan Zoning board has approved an application for conditional use permit for a drive-through restaurant in Fina Sisu.
The proposed project, to be operated by by PCC Corp. as Roberto’s Café and Restaurant, will occupy a small existing building near the main highway leading to Chalan Kanoa and As Lito.
PCC Corp. representative Daniel Pacala said that had operated a restaurant before.
“Based on the requirements by Zoning and a favorable response from the community in the area, we want to proceed with the project,” Pacala said.
“The drive-through is something like a grab and go. If you have to park, you can buy and then back up,” Pacala added.
At the public hearing held at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Dec. 4,
Saipan Zoning chair Diego Blanco raised concerns about the parking spaces and how would it be a drive through if people would be parking and if there were any available tables inside and how would the drive-through work.
Pacala clarified that they do have parking spaces and some tables inside but if people were to order in the restaurant, they would not stay long.
One person at the meeting, Dr. Gene Eagle-Oden, was concerned about the limited parking spaces the proposed location has.
“I have a lot of experience with restaurants and judging by this business plan, it doesn’t really seem solid to me and that they didn’t make it clear that they don’t have enough parking area,” Oden said.
Pacala said an apartment complex adjacent to the proposed restaurant has offered the use of its parking spaces. A letter of approval from the apartment owner gave Pacala “the go” to use two parking spaces of the building.
The location for the proposed restaurant has four parking spaces and two more from the apartment complex nearby.
“They don’t have to necessarily park; it is a grab and go restaurant. They will be there and then gone in a matter of minutes so parking isn’t a problem. At the old location we had more parking spaces but it was a big problem,” Pacala said.
The Zoning board eventually approved the conditional use permit for the drive through restaurant.
