Moe's Southwest Grill Just Got Approved for Apple Valley's 150th Street
TLDR
Moe's Southwest Grill was approved for 7668 150th Street West, Suite 301 in Apple Valley.
The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend a conditional use permit and a 920-foot variance.
The restaurant will have 36 indoor seats, no drive-thru, and hours from 10 AM to 11 PM.
A resident raised parking and traffic concerns, but the city says the site meets all requirements.
If you've been waiting for more Tex-Mex options in Apple Valley, your patience is about to pay off. The planning commission just approved Moe's Southwest Grill to open at 7668 150th Street West — right in the heart of the 150th Street restaurant corridor.
The Tuesday, April 1 meeting was basically a one-item show, and Moe's was it.
What's the Deal With the Variance?
Here's where it gets a little technical (but we'll keep it simple).
Apple Valley's zoning rules say sit-down restaurants — officially called "Class 2 restaurants" — need a conditional use permit to operate in the Retail Business district. They also have to be at least 1,000 feet from any homes or churches.
This location? It's about 80 feet from Grace Lutheran Church across the street and 275 feet from the nearest homes across Pennock Lane. That means the applicant needed a 920-foot variance — basically permission to be way closer than the rules normally allow.
But Apple Valley has granted similar variances a bunch of times before. City planner Carter Hayes walked through the track record: McDonald's got approved at 200 feet, Popeye's at 494 feet, Chick-fil-A at 100 feet. Panda Express, Burgers & Bagels, Dave's Hot Chicken, and Taco Bell are all within that same zone too.
The building is already there. It's an existing multi-tenant commercial space. The strict 1,000-foot rule just doesn't work for this part of town where commercial and residential properties sit right next to each other.
What About Parking and Traffic?
This was the main concern from the one resident who spoke at the public hearing.
Pat Peterson, who lives on Fireside near Pennock Lane, pointed out that the restaurant space is small, parking in front is limited, and if people park over by Savers, they'd have to cross a busy parking lot drive. She also noted that traffic on Pennock Lane has gotten worse over the years with apartments, Walmart, and Aldi's all adding volume.
The city's response? The numbers work.
Moe's is proposing 36 indoor seats, which means they need 12 parking spots for the restaurant. Combined with the other tenants in the building, the whole site needs 26 spaces. They have 35. And since Dunkin' Donuts closes around 8 or 9 PM, there's minimal overlap during Moe's later evening hours.
City engineer Brianna also noted they did a full traffic analysis when the Dunkin' Donuts site was redeveloped, modeling the worst-case scenario for the highest possible use. They're confident the area can handle it.
As for Pennock Lane specifically — the city acknowledged the concerns and said they're looking at improvements to that road separately from this application.
The Exhaust Question
Commissioner Scanland raised a practical question: what about cooking smells and exhaust drifting toward the church and nearby homes?
Staff said they've added a condition requiring vent hoods to point east, away from residential and institutional properties. The applicant's representative, Lisa McCormack, noted the operator also runs a Moe's in Woodbury that met all state mechanical code requirements without issue.
It's not a perfect solution — wind blows where it wants — but it's a standard mitigation step.
What Happens Next
The planning commission's recommendation is exactly that — a recommendation. The Apple Valley City Council will make the final call. With staff recommending approval and a unanimous commission vote, it's likely to sail through.
No opening date was shared at the meeting. After council approval, the operator still needs to complete the buildout and get all necessary permits.
Apple Valley's food scene keeps growing — Chicken Salad Chick is also opening its first-ever Minnesota location on Cedar Ave. The 150th Street corridor alone now has Dunkin', Panda Express, Dave's Hot Chicken, Taco Bell, Burgers & Bagels, and soon Moe's.
The Bottom Line
If you live near 150th and Pennock, this means one more dining option on your block — and the city says your parking and traffic concerns are accounted for. If you have thoughts, the city council meeting is your next chance to weigh in.
FAQ
What is Moe's Southwest Grill?
It's a fast-casual Tex-Mex chain known for burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and bowls. Think Chipotle vibes but with a slightly different menu. They greet everyone who walks in with "Welcome to Moe's!"
Where exactly is it going?
7668 150th Street West, Suite 301 — the easternmost suite in the multi-tenant building next to Dunkin' Donuts, at the corner of Pennock Lane and 150th Street.
Will there be a drive-thru?
Nope. Dine-in and takeout only. No drive-thru.
Did anyone oppose the project?
One resident raised concerns about parking and traffic during the public hearing. Grace Lutheran Church and other nearby residents did not submit any comments or objections.
When will the city council vote on this?
No specific date was announced, but the next city council meetings are April 9 and April 29. It could appear on either agenda.
