A Chipotle is set to be built across the street from the Merchants Way shopping plaza, giving patrons another dining option.

Two years after the City of Concord approved the construction of a new Starbucks on Whitney Road – a site located off Exit 17 on I-93 that has already been developed to include grocery and liquor stores and more – the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously earlier this month to approve a plan to add a Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The shopping plaza already includes a Market Basket, New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Wendy’s.  The Starbucks is currently under construction, as shown on the shopping plaza’s Facebook account. An urgent care facility is also being added. Plans for a car wash were scrapped.

Attorney John Arnold, owner Laurie Rauseo and Chipotle representative Dan Radman testified during the ZBA meeting, highlighting the business model of a drive-thru window that exclusively serves those who have ordered and paid in advance, thus helping a busy complex address potential heavy traffic.

The Chipotle on Loudon Road gives customers the option to pre-order and pre-pay, but unlike the Exit 17 branch, it is not mandatory to use the drive-thru.

The plan calls for 29 parking spaces for Chipotle, which typically requires 24 spaces. Officials pushing for the deal noted that most drive-thrus include a median or a curb, locking customers in their places with no way to get out of line and leave.

Not so for this Chipotle, as meeting minutes indicate it would be easy for cars to exit the line.