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*Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Adopt the Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for Dutch Bros Coffee authorizing a Drive-Through Facility at 316 Madison Street
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Introduction
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The Petitioner, Dutch Bros Coffee, seeks special use approval to construct a two-lane drive through facility located at 316 Madison Street in the MS Madison Street Zoning District.
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Recommended Action
Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Adopt an Ordinance approving the Petitioner’s request for a special use permit for a drive-through facility.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
The Subject Property is made up of two parcels under common ownership and totaling 17,554 square feet. It is located near the northeast corner of the intersection of Ridgeland Avenue and Madison Street. Most recently, the existing building on the site was a fast-food restaurant with a drive-through facility. The building on the property is currently vacant.
The Applicant, Dutch Bros Coffee, proposes to demolish the existing building and construct a new 1,236 square foot building. Additional proposed improvements include landscaping, lighting, and new parking lot striping. The rear alley access to the north of the building would be closed to the public and only accessible for service and delivery vehicles; all customers would enter and exit from Madison Street.
To accommodate the proposed site and building configuration, featuring a two-lane drive-through facility, the Applicant also requested variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals to 1) allow the building location to exceed the build-to-zoning requirement, 2) allow onsite parking to be located to the side of the building rather than to the rear of the building, 3) allow one bypass lane to service two drive-through lanes, and 4) allow more than one onsite menu board. The ZBA approved all variance requests. The Resolution approving the requested variances is attached.
Timing Considerations
There is no timing considerations associated with the item.
Budget Impact
The cost of Public Notice was $224 from Account GL string (1001.46202.101.550652).
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
On October 8, 2025, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on the Petitioner’s application. At the hearing one person spoke in favor of the application; one person spoke in opposition to the application raising concerns about the conflicts between the proposed drive-through and pedestrians using the crosswalk on Madison Street. The Applicant suggested installing a sign near the crosswalk to ‘yield to pedestrians”.
The Zoning Board of Appeals finds that permitting the operation of the drive-through facility at the property is consistent with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Ordinance, and its operation will not have a substantial adverse impact on the neighborhood. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends to the Village President and the Board of Trustees that the application be APPROVED by a 7 to 0 vote with four (4) conditions as outlined in the Recommendation as follows:
1. That the Applicant install a pedestrian/bikers sign;
2. That the Applicant add a bicycle rack on the premises;
3. That the Applicant Install wheel stops along the fence located on the eastern side of the lot, and;
4. That the Applicant install a metal railing along the west side of the bail-out lane.
The video of the public hearing can be seen by clicking the following link <https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/citizen-commissions/commission-tv>
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Zoning Board of Appeals Recommendation and Findings of Fact.
Advantages:
• Approving the special use permit is consistent with the prior drive-through facility used by the prior KFC Restaurant.
• Redevelopment of a long vacant property.
• Increase tax base for Oak Park.
• A successful business could employ local staff and contribute to the local economy.
Disadvantages:
• The proposed drive-through is not a mixed-use pedestrian-friendly use in line with the MS Madison Street Zoning District purpose statement.
• Drive-throughs contribute to car-dependent urban planning, increase traffic congestion and pollution.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can elect to deny the special use permit.
Advantages:
• Denying the special use permit would allow the site to be available for a more pedestrian-oriented use.
• Denying the special use permit would prevent the proposed drive-through use that may contribute to air and noise pollution due to idling cars.
Disadvantages:
• The property would remain vacant.
• Less tax revenue for the Village.
Alternative 2:
The Board can remand the item back to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Advantages:
• This action would trigger further review and information from the applicant, staff, and the public.
Disadvantages:
• Delayed timeline for the Applicant and the project.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Mike Bruce, Planning & Urban Design Manager/Village Planner
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Director of Development Services
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. Finding of Facts
3. Resolution from ZBA
4. Application
5. Staff Report
6. Hearing Exhibits