During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around urban development plans and a proposed coffee shop in the Schilling Farms area. The meeting began with a review of a mixed-use development plan, which aims to accommodate a church site and potential retail and office spaces. The plan includes reserving sewer capacity for possible future townhouse developments, although the immediate focus is on the church site, with further developments expected to unfold over several years.

The second major agenda item involved a preliminary site plan for a 1,000 square foot drive-through coffee shop, proposed by Dutch Bros, located near Schilling Boulevard East and Poplar Avenue. The site, currently vacant, is part of a planned development that allows for limited commercial use. Both the Planning Commission and Design Review Commission had previously recommended approval of the project.

The proposed coffee shop will feature a drive-through window and a walk-up service, but no indoor or outdoor seating. The design includes 11 parking spaces and landscaping to buffer the property from surrounding roads. A traffic study indicated that the shop would generate a manageable number of vehicle trips, with measures in place to prevent queuing issues.

Concerns were raised regarding traffic flow, particularly at nearby intersections. The applicant, represented by Harvey Matheny, emphasized that the coffee shop's peak traffic times do not coincide with those of Poplar Avenue, potentially mitigating congestion. Matheny also noted ongoing attempts to communicate with a neighboring bank about modifying an existing driveway for improved access, although these efforts have faced challenges.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the coffee shop's preliminary site plan, which received unanimous support from the board, with one member abstaining. The approval marks a step forward in the development of the Schilling Farms area, reflecting the community's evolving commercial landscape.