Council tables 7 Brew drive‑through site plan for 3919 Colonel Glen Highway after traffic, enforcement concerns

Beavercreek — Beavercreek City Council voted to table consideration of PUD 25‑3, Specific Site Plan No. 1 — a proposed two‑lane 7 Brew drive‑through at 3919 Colonel Glen Highway — after extended debate about vehicle queuing, public‑way stacking and the enforcement language in condition 18 of the site‑plan approval.

The applicant’s planner, Jonathan Woker of Bridal Clarion, said the project would remove an existing used‑car lot and construct two small drive‑through buildings on about 0.64 acres, with two drive‑through lanes, roughly 12 parking spaces and about 21 stacking spaces. Woker said the chain operates as an “order at the window” model with minimal walk‑up service and asked the council to remove the final sentence of condition 18 because, he said, “that last sentence will negatively impact financing and raise some concerns with our lenders.”

Councilmembers and residents countered that the city and the public already have real experience with long queues at the company’s North Fairfield location, which council members and at least one resident described as causing traffic backups and police responses. Councilwoman Garcia said she would not remove the sentence, adding that the written condition helps “hold your feet to the fire” so the city can require mitigation if vehicles stack into the right of way.

City staff (Randy) told council the site had been rezoned to CPUD 25‑3 and that planning commission and staff recommended approval with 19 conditions, including the sidewalk requirement on Germany Lane and the disputed language in condition 18 that addresses vehicles queuing into the public right of way. Staff also described circulation shown on the plan: entry from Germany Lane, one‑way circulation through the site, and an exit to Colonel Glen Highway.

Public commenters and several council members described repeated instances of heavy queuing at the existing 7 Brew on North Fairfield Road. Resident Bob Trout asked for clearer signage to show the new right‑turn‑only traffic pattern; council members described witnessing long lines, near collisions and the need for police to assist traffic at peak times.

Council and staff discussed mitigation options that could be required or studied before approval: a right‑out only design on the western exit, a “pork‑chop” island to force right turns onto Colonel Glen, temporary or permanent signage at Zinc Road and Colonel Glen, a possible center turn lane on Germany Lane, and whether the developer should staff traffic control at peak times. City staff noted site‑design constraints — including curb, right‑of‑way and emergency vehicle access — and said additional engineering analysis would be needed to assess some options.

Multiple council members asked the applicant to provide vehicle trip‑generation and queuing data, with dates of observations and comparable‑site analyses. Woker acknowledged the council’s concerns and said the applicant had not brought all requested data to the meeting and would provide further information.

After discussion, a council member moved to table the specific site plan so the applicant could return with the additional traffic and operational information council requested; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

What council asked for and next steps

- Council asked the applicant for detailed queuing and trip‑generation data (dates and methodology), comparisons to similarly situated 7 Brew sites, and clarification about lender concerns tied to the condition wording. - Staff and council requested clearer mitigation plans: signage, traffic‑control staffing during peak periods, design drawings for a right‑out or pork‑chop island, and clarification about emergency‑vehicle access if left turns or curb islands are added. - The applicant agreed to return when the additional data and plans were ready; no specific re‑hearing date was set.

Context: enforcement language (condition 18)

The contested text in condition 18 refers to enforcement if vehicles queue into the public right of way and, in its current phrasing, mentions suspension or revocation of the certificate of use compliance as a potential consequence. The applicant said lenders had flagged that language; councilmembers emphasized the city’s need for clear, enforceable conditions to protect public safety and adjacent businesses.

Council did not vote on the merits of the site plan or any specific conditions; the item was tabled pending submittal of the materials requested by council and staff.