Taco Bell Site Plan Returns to Planning and Zoning Commission after Prior Approval Expires

You'll want to remember this moment. Help us record what's happening in Decorah. DECORAH — A proposed Taco Bell on Decorah's east side cleared another step toward construction Monday when the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved an updated site plan for the restaurant. The action was largely procedural. The project previously went through the city's site-plan review process and was approved by the City Council in November 2025, but that approval expired before the developer obtained building permits. The commission reviewed the resubmitted plan and found that issues identified during the earlier review had been addressed. The proposed restaurant would be located at 2037 State Highway 9, just east of the Fairfield Inn & Suites. The applicant is Marvin Development of Montana LLC. The project originally came before the Planning and Zoning Commission in November 2025 as a proposed Taco Bell on Lots F and J in the 2000 block of State Highway 9. The City Council subsequently approved the site plan with several conditions, according to City Manager Travis Goedken. Those conditions are now reflected in the resubmitted plan. Goedken told the commission that Decorah's zoning code requires the Planning and Zoning Commission to review proposed developments and make a recommendation to the City Council. A separate provision of the code establishes a 180-day expiration period for site-plan approval if building permits are not obtained. Because that period had elapsed, the Taco Bell development had to return to the commission for another review. Goedken said the city's engineer had reviewed the new submission and that all four conditions attached to the previous approval had been addressed. One issue involved ownership. The earlier plan did not show the developer as the owner of record and also lacked the property's physical address. Access to the proposed restaurant had been another concern. The earlier plan showed access from a frontage road through private property near the Fairfield Inn. The resubmitted plan now identifies the access and shows the associated access easement. Sidewalks were another issue. The original plan did not show sidewalks, although the City Council required them as part of its approval. The updated plan includes a sidewalk along the north side of the property connecting with existing sidewalks on the west side near the Fairfield Inn. Because those items have been addressed, Goedken told commissioners the city was no longer recommending additional conditions on the site plan. A representative of Marvin Development, Shannon Marcus, attended the meeting remotely and said the company was prepared to answer questions about the project. She told commissioners the developer anticipates beginning construction Sept. 1, pending the necessary approvals. No substantive objections or concerns were raised during Monday's discussion. Commission members then voted unanimously to approve the updated site plan. The matter is scheduled to return to the Decorah City Council for consideration Monday, Aug. 17. Be in the know, always! The free newsletter delivers local news, features, and tips directly to you—perfect for busy readers.