Tempe approves dual‑lane Dutch Bros at McClintock and Southern despite resident traffic worries

The Tempe Development Review Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 11 to approve a use permit for a dual‑lane Dutch Bros drive‑through at 1801 East Southern Avenue, with staff continuing development‑plan review for details such as landscaping and operations. Commissioner Barbara Lloyd moved to approve the use permit; Commissioner Robert Miller seconded and the motion passed without opposition.

Core States Engineering representative Liz (presenting for Dutch Bros) described a 1,060‑square‑foot prototype building with dual drive‑through lanes, a bypass lane, a walk‑up window and 19 on‑site parking spaces. She said the company’s runner‑based service model and site design would keep queues moving and that a traffic study reviewed by staff found the project would increase peak intersection delay by about "1–2 seconds or less." "The queue analysis found that the drive through demand is expected to remain contained within the designated drive through lanes more than 99% of the time," she told the commission.

Neighbors urged caution. Lauren Whitaker, who lives adjacent to the site, asked the commission to wait until the permit process is complete, citing examples of other Dutch Bros locations where stacking and congestion occurred, concerns about proximity to McClintock High School and Maricopa County air‑quality comments that idling can increase ozone pollution. "Please don't add another source of vehicle emissions to a neighborhood that already deals with a lot of noise and traffic," Whitaker said.

Staff clarified the approval before the commission covered only the drive‑through use permit; the development plan review will address landscaping, plant pallet and exact impervious coverage. Staff also reported four emailed oppositions and recommended a condition limiting hours to 11 PM. The use permit will be finalized through plan review and is subject to any required building permits.