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Planning commission approves Dutch Bros drive‑through at Evergreen Commercial Development
Summary
Lake Elsinore planning commissioners approved a conditional use permit and commercial design review to allow a 980‑square‑foot Dutch Bros drive‑through with a 340‑square‑foot outdoor dining area on a 1.13‑acre lot in the Evergreen Commercial Development; the approval includes a queuing management plan and traffic‑management conditions.
Lake Elsinore planning commissioners voted to approve a conditional use permit and commercial design review for a Dutch Bros drive‑through at the Evergreen Commercial Development, a retail project south of Central Avenue and east of Cambrin Avenue.
The applicant requested approval of a drive‑through coffee shop on an approximately 1.13‑acre parcel. Staff described the proposed building as a one‑story, 980‑square‑foot drive‑through with a 340‑square‑foot outdoor dining area, parking and landscaping; the overall Evergreen development covers about 8.86 acres and includes planned tenants such as Stater Brothers, a 7‑Eleven, Pollo Campero and a Superstar Car Wash.
Planning staff said the amended conditional use permit would allow a two‑lane drive‑through with queuing for up to 19 vehicles and that the approval is conditioned on a queuing management plan and additional traffic‑management measures to prevent on‑site or off‑site congestion. City staff told commissioners the project complies with the city’s General Plan, Municipal Code and the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Staff also reported that, under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines §15162, no new environmental documentation is required because potential impacts were addressed in a previously adopted mitigated negative declaration (SCH No. 2022090133).
John Caglia, the applicant, spoke during public comment and described the proposal as his third and final store in Lake Elsinore. “This is my third store in the city and will be my last store in the city,” Caglia said. He told commissioners he has redeveloped long‑vacant parcels and expects to employ family members at the new location.
Commissioners asked about traffic and whether additional stop signs or signals were planned for the area. Planning staff said the larger Evergreen project has already implemented lane widenings and traffic control measures; for the Dutch Bros site, staff said the city required a queuing analysis and project‑specific traffic controls and added conditions to address queueing so nearby roadways and on‑site circulation are not impeded.
The public hearing was opened and closed the same night. Vice Chair Carroll moved to approve the project; Commissioner Pease seconded. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one recusal.
Votes at a glance: • Consent calendar (minutes of the regular planning commission meeting) — Moved by Commissioner Peters, seconded by Vice Chair Carroll. Passed unanimously (DeVore, Pease, Peters, Carroll, Gray recorded as present and voting yes). • Planning Application 2021‑34 / amendment to Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2021‑12 — Staff presentation referenced conditional use permit number 2024‑07 and commercial design review 2024‑05 for the Dutch Bros drive‑through. Motion to adopt the resolutions approving the CUP and commercial design review — Moved by Vice Chair Carroll; seconded by Commissioner Pease. Outcome: approved (yes: DeVore, Pease, Peters, Carroll; recused: Chair Gray). Note: the agenda listed Planning Application 2021‑34 and an amendment to CUP 2021‑12; staff and project documents referenced CUP 2024‑07 and Commercial Design Review 2024‑05.
The commission had no additional staff, attorney or commissioner comments beyond routine acknowledgments. The meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting on Tuesday, July 1.
