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Planning commission approves Black Rock Coffee drive‑through and site plan with adjustments
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Summary
The commission unanimously approved a conditional use and site plan with adjustments April 22 for a Black Rock Coffee drive‑through at S. Oswego and E. Iliff, allowing a between‑building drive‑through lane and expanded surface parking due to site constraints; approval is subject to resolving technical issues.
The Aurora Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7‑0 April 22 to approve a conditional use and a site plan with adjustments for a Black Rock Coffee drive‑through proposed for the northeast corner of South Oswego Street and East Iliff Avenue.
Ben Brabinick, presenting staff recommendations, said the business proposes a 620‑square‑foot drive‑through coffee shop on a 0.85‑acre MUC parcel. Because the site is constrained by a 70‑foot gas easement, staff recommended two adjustments: permit the drive‑through lane between the building and the protected R‑1 lot (with enhanced landscape buffering) and increase surface parking frontage from the UDO standard of 25% to 43.8% to allow feasible building placement. Staff recommended approval with the condition that outstanding technical issues be resolved before final recordation and permit issuance.
Neighbors raised concerns at the public comment period. Arnie Schultz, a resident and representative of the Veil Geese Neighborhood Association, urged denial, citing worries about outdoor speakers, noise, traffic stacking and clarity on operational details. "I prefer that they do something like BJ's does... or Chick‑fil‑A…" Schultz said, suggesting alternatives to external speakers.
The applicant responded in the hearing. Tony Pilotta, vice president of development for Black Rock Coffee Bar, told the commission the restaurant’s hours would be 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and that the site would not use intercom speakers to communicate orders. "We don't use any kind of intercom system... any speaker referenced on any of our operations is just for music purposes," Pilotta said. Christine Savillem, the civil engineer for the applicant, said the planned enhanced landscaping will use trees and shrubs rather than sod to better withstand drought conditions.
Commissioners discussed whether eliminating outdoor speakers should be a formal condition and settled on relying on the applicant's stated willingness rather than codifying removal as a condition. Commissioner Jechek moved to approve the conditional use (8B); Commissioner Riley seconded. The vote to approve 8B and the site plan with adjustments (8C) was 7‑0. The approvals are subject to resolving outstanding technical and permitting issues prior to recordation and building permits.
The decision includes explicit conditions in staff recommendations to finalize technical details and ensure compliance with the UDO’s design and buffering requirements before permits are issued.
