Planning Commission backs Dutch Bros drive‑through at 100 Crossroads Plaza, forwards recommendation to City Council

The O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission on May 1 voted to recommend approval to the City Council of a conditional use permit and site plan for a Dutch Bros drive‑through kiosk at 100 Crossroads Plaza.

Scott Felton, civil engineer for Premier Design Group, told the commission the property is 0.69 acres in CC2 zoning and the proposal features a double‑lane drive‑through and a walk‑up/pickup window with no indoor dining. "Our proposed development features a double lane drive through and a walk up and pickup order window," Felton said, and the plan includes 22 parking spaces and stacking capacity for up to 16 vehicles. Stormwater management will use an existing detention pond south of the site that discharges along Highway K.

The commission and public raised traffic and pedestrian‑safety questions. Arnie C. Deenof, identified as a city public advocate, welcomed the investment but urged the commission to require safety bollards at the pickup window and a dedicated, marked pedestrian crosswalk from the west parking area to the shared use path. "If somebody steps on the gas and ends up running into the ordering window area, then we don't have customers or pedestrians that are injured," Deenof said. Felton responded that bollards are included in the design and that pedestrian markings are shown from the west side of the building to the shared use path; he also said he did not believe the shared use path currently exists on site.

Commissioners questioned stacking and overflow handling; Felton said the design includes a second menu/order board partway through the lane and that cross‑access agreements and store management will be used to manage short‑term spillover into the adjacent parking lot rather than allowing queues to extend onto Highway K.

Commissioner Howard moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit and Commissioner Howard later moved to approve the site plan based on staff conditions; both motions carried. The commission will forward its recommendation to City Council, which is scheduled to take up the item next Thursday.

Next steps: the City Council will consider the commission's recommendation. Staff also listed standard site conditions the applicant must meet before final approvals, including demolition plans, adjustments to utility/manhole angles, and recorded covenants for shared private infrastructure.