Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen hopes to make a comeback in Mission.

The fried chicken fast food chain’s Mission location at 6821 Johnson Drive is still standing with extensive damage following a Jan. 18 fire.

Now, Popeyes wants to tear down the remnants and build a completely new restaurant on the same plot of land.

The Mission Planning Commission on Monday agreed in a 7-0 vote to recommend approval of the preliminary development plan. Commissioners Wayne Snyder and Charlie Troppito were absent.

Popeyes wants to build a 6-foot wall around the parking lot

• This brick wall, called a “screen wall” in city documents, would run along the corner of Johnson Drive and Broadmoor Street.
• It would separate the Popeyes parking lot from the sidewalk surrounding the property.
• The brick wall would also feature planters and architectural detailing, according to city documents.
• Outdoor patio seating and benches along the sidewalk facing Johnson Drive would be included just outside of the brick wall, as well.
• “I’ve seen in other areas in other cities where they have that type of wall, it’s usually a shopping center entrance or like a signage,” said Commissioner Megan Cullinane. “I think even having that it just polishes it off.”

Popeyes will feature a two-lane drive-thru

• This intends to help keep drive-thru traffic from backing up onto Broadmoor Street, an issue seen at the previous Popeyes restaurant during peak hours, city staff said.
• Additionally, the drive-thru lane traffic still exits onto Johnson Drive only under the proposal.
• The proposal also calls for the removal of the vehicular entrance along Johnson Drive, meaning drivers can only be able to enter the parking lot from Broadmoor Street.
• Pedestrians can enter the restaurant from Johnson Drive, though.
• There are 16 parking spaces in the parking lot, down from the previous 21 spaces, for a building that can seat 24 people.

Next steps:

• The preliminary development moves forward to the Mission City Council for final consideration at the Sept. 20 meeting.
• The Mission City Council meets at 7 p.m. at city hall, 6090 Woodson St.

Go deeper: Prairie Sailor Co., an outdoor retail shop, heads to downtown Mission