Commission approves 7 Brew drive-thru at Layton Plaza with conditions on ADA and parking variance

The City Plan Commission approved site plan and building design for a 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop at 350 West Layton Avenue (File 250,279) with three conditions: finalize ADA-compliant pedestrian connections before permit issuance, secure Board of Zoning Appeals approval for exceeding the maximum permitted parking, and ensure plantings meet City-approved lists.

Kristen Connolly of DCD Planning said the site sits inside the Fifth and Layton development incentive overlay and that prior approvals had reserved two quick-service restaurant/drive-thru uses on the divided parcel. Eric Drazkowski, civil engineer with Excel Engineering, presented the applicant’s plan and said the design follows the overlay standards and incorporates a double drive-thru with order-taking by handheld devices rather than traditional speaker boxes. He described pedestrian and circulation features coordinated with the Department of Public Works.

Nut graf: Commission approval clears the overlay public-hearing requirement but conditions were added to ensure that pedestrian ramps and walkways meet ADA standards and that the Board of Zoning Appeals approves the applicant’s request to exceed the overlay’s parking cap. Staff said permeable paving is proposed for parking areas that exceed the maximum allowed by code.

Corbin Turlup, representing 7 Brew, described staffing expectations for the chain’s locations and said each store may have 6–12 staff on duty with broader employment across multiple locations. Alderman Speicher participated virtually and asked for a “no right turn” sign on Fifth Street to discourage traffic routing into adjacent neighborhoods; the plan includes an exit-only north access and coordination with DPW on signage.

The motion to approve File 250,279 with conditions passed unanimously; Commissioners Allison Nemec, Ronnell Washington, Katrina Crane, Tariq Moody and Jesus Gonzales were recorded as voting aye.