The Crown Point City Planning Commission approved petition 25-15 to allow a 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee restaurant at 10671 Broadway, subject to staff comments and a condition that any blue LED strip lighting under the canopy be removed.

Chris George, representing Hubbrew LLC and the 7 Brew franchisee, described the concept as a double drive‑thru, beverage-only operation with no indoor dining. He explained the site plan includes a 510-square-foot primary service structure and a separate cooler/dry-storage structure for deliveries, two access points to the north and south, and sidewalk connections on Broadway where sidewalk is currently missing.

Planning staff said the proposed 693-square-foot primary structure (staff and petitioner statements contain slightly different square-foot figures in the packet) would be located in a V3 business zone and that plans had been reviewed and approved by Planning, Public Works, Streets and Utilities, Engineering and the Fire Department. Staff reported multiple calls and social media messages in support and recommended approval.

Commission discussion centered on building materials, lighting, signage, landscaping and stormwater. Several commissioners praised the petitioner for bringing material samples and described the proposed panels and colors as appropriate for the Broadway corridor. Commissioner Laura Sowerland said she would have difficulty approving the project with LED strip lighting that she described as creating a "circus atmosphere" and asked for the strip to be removed or revised to a shielded halo effect. The petitioner agreed to remove the blue LED strip lighting from the project as part of the approval.

"They are also including an additional sidewalk from the right of way sidewalk up to the business, which is a very welcome addition," planning staff said during the presentation.

A motion to approve petition 25-15 with staff comments and no blue lighting under the canopy passed on a roll-call vote.