Chipotle Eyes South Lakes Village Center Spot

Chipotle Mexican Grill has submitted a Special Exception with the Fairfax County Department of Zoning to permit a fast food restaurant in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center.

The restaurant, which has Reston locations on Sunset Hills Drive and at Reston Town Center, would take over the space at 11160 South Lakes Dr. The spot was formerly occupied by Dinner Zen, the make-your-own meals place that closed last spring.

Chipotle proposes to convert the existing 3,000-square-foot vacant store using existing building façade, sidewalks, landscaping, utilities, stormwater management, loading area and parking area.

The internal space will be reconstructed, Chipotle signage added to the front building façade, and a grease trap interceptor installed at the rear of the building, according to the application.

The special exception is the beginning of the months-long process of obtaining county and Reston permissions to make changes necessary to open the store.