POWELL — The Powell Planning and Zoning Commission saw the initial plans for a proposed Dutch Bros Coffee Company on Home Road Wednesday evening.
The drive-thru coffee shop would sit next to the Liberty Summit Apartments, tucked between Home Road, Tullamore Drive and Limerick Lane.
Developers CESO propose two access points on Tullamore Drive, with parking to the east and south, two-way circulation throughout the drive aisles and two drive-thru aisles allowing for up to 20 vehicles.
The commission only reviewed the sketch plan Wednesday, meaning it did not take any action. The land is also awaiting annexation approval from Liberty Township trustees.
After that, the zoning commission will need to approve a zoning map amendment for the site, city council would then have to approve said amendment.
The Planning and Zoning Commission would then approve a final development plan before the project can move forward with construction.
Planning Manager Claudia Husak noted the proposed site plan indicates required and proposed setbacks, but the requirements are listed incorrectly, and the applicant will have to revise them and address potential deviations for the next application.
Husak also wrote in a memo to the committee the developer has not yet included details on landscaping or lighting.
Architectural Advisor Steven Reynolds said he was worried about traffic at the site.
“I know they’re queuing a set up for two lanes, but I would say given the popularity of these, sometimes you see that even spilling out,” Reynolds said.
“So just knowing the traffic here, I think, it’s not necessarily a concern, but it’s something we have to pay attention to.”
Reynolds also said the coloring for the building is “definitely blue,” and questioned if there are other color or material options.
Steve Cuckler spoke during public comment on behalf of Liberty Summit.
“No concern with the use, we think it’s fantastic,” Cuckler said. “We know that a lot of our residents will probably end up using it.”
But Cuckler did also have concerns about traffic flow and wants to work collaboratively to mitigate any traffic issues.
“I’d be interested to see if Dutch Brothers has any traffic studies or customer data, high points, low points, what kind of consumer traffic we would see coming through that to maybe alleviate people’s traffic concerns or heighten them depending on what the data is,” Commission Member David Lester said.
