Planning commission approves Dutch Bros. Pomeroy drive‑through and site plan amid a single traffic comment

Aurora — The Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 27 unanimously approved a conditional use permitting a drive‑through and a site plan for a 1,025‑square‑foot Dutch Bros. Coffee at the northeast corner of South Aurora Parkway and South Elkway.

Ariana Mooka, the city planner assigned to the case, told the commission the parcel is zoned Mixed Use Regional (MUR) and that the application requests conditional‑use approval for drive‑through service and a site plan for a new coffee shop. “The applicant, Coal Valley Partners LLC, is requesting approval for a conditional use for a drive through and a site plan for a new 1,025 square foot coffee shop,” Mooka said. Staff mailed notifications to adjacent owners and published legal notice; one resident called staff on Aug. 26 to raise traffic concerns.

The applicant’s consultant, Michael Beck of Barkhausen Consulting Engineers, said the team agreed with staff recommendations. “We agree with staff’s recommendations, and, we’re happy to answer any questions,” Beck said.

Staff’s report described a site layout that orients the building toward South Aurora Parkway and places two drive‑through lanes internal to the property, accessible from a private road at the north property line rather than Aurora Parkway. The design includes a walk‑up window, an outdoor patio and landscaping intended to screen the drive‑through from the parkway. Staff concluded the proposal meets the conditional‑use design standards in UDO §146‑3.3.6.E (drive‑through standards) by placing the drive‑through to the side or rear, minimizing view and vehicle‑pedestrian conflicts.

Chair Walls and other commissioners noted the applicant exceeded the city’s car‑stacking requirement. “I believe the city's requirement was 7 spaces in car stacking, and I believe they're providing 17, if I remember correctly,” Walls said during deliberations.

Commissioner Hogan moved to approve the conditional use for the drive‑through, citing staff’s findings; Commissioner Banka seconded. The motion carried 7‑0 in a roll call that recorded approvals from Commissioners Dutchek, Bush, Geiser, Reilly, Banker, Hogan and Walls.

Commissioner Geiser then moved to approve the site plan, subject to resolving outstanding technical issues prior to recordation and building permit issuance; Commissioner Bush seconded. Commissioners discussed traffic and the traffic study’s finding that projected levels of service are acceptable in the study years (2027 and 2045). The site‑plan motion likewise passed 7‑0.

Why it matters: The proposal converts a vacant parcel in a regional mixed‑use area to a commercial use with a drive‑through; staff and the applicant said the layout minimizes frontage visibility and pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. The single comment from a nearby resident raised traffic concerns; staff reported it had discussed the resident’s concerns and that a traffic analysis was part of the application review.

What’s next: Approval is subject to technical clearance before recordation and building permits. The applicant will need to resolve outstanding technical issues identified by staff prior to permit issuance.