Commission approves 7 Brew drive-through at Ohio Avenue despite neighbor traffic concerns

The Lynn Haven City Commission approved a development order Nov. 12 for a 7 Brew drive-through at 1420 Ohio Avenue, a 0.516-acre parcel in the city’s CRA/mixed-use area, after staff and the developer presented the site plan and FDOT traffic review.

Planning staff told the commission FDOT determined no additional turn-lane improvements on Route 77 were required and that the plan complies with the city’s Unified Land Development Code. The developer and franchisee said the building is a prefabricated modular unit similar to an existing Callaway location; the franchisee said the Callaway site has experienced capacity issues when equipment failed, and staff pledged better operational equipment at the Lynn Haven site.

Several residents and commissioners raised safety concerns about site egress. Resident comments and commissioners focused on the site’s single primary ingress via West 15th Street and an exit-only pass-through lane to Route 77 that FDOT classified as acceptable. Resident Jennifer (surname in record) proposed conditioning approval on a more aggressive right-turn egress geometry to discourage drivers from making left turns onto northbound Route 77 where backups are frequent; staff and the developer said FDOT had already requested tweaks and that additional signage and pavement striping could be added.

Commissioners debated whether a design change would require the developer to return with revised plans; staff said any redesign beyond signage would need to be reviewed again. The commission ultimately approved the development order on a motion, with staff noting FDOT’s review and that the developer agreed to add pavement striping and signage to reduce left-turning movements.

The approval allows the applicant to pursue FDOT permitting for state-road access and to move toward construction and site placement.