Commission split on 7 Brew

STEVENS POINT — The Plan Commission was split on approving a conditional use permit to construct and a site plan review to construct a 7 Brew Coffee on Division Street.
The coffee chain is requesting to build a drive-thru coffee shop on 532 Division Street, formerly Cooper Motor. The building would be 530 square feet, with a 290 square foot cooler, eight off-street parking spaces, and two drive-thru lanes. The proposed coffee shop would only be using a portion of the property, which would leave the remaining parcel to be developed into four different developable lots.
The topic of discussion wasn’t whether to allow 7 Brew to build on the property, but instead how the property will be constructed.
“I want to be fully transparent—what is up for discussion is not if we should allow a coffee shop to be located on the property. That’s an open and shut case, it is allowed by right. What is up for discussion is how the site is developed to accommodate that drive-thru coffee type use.” Planning Administrator Adam Kun said.
The district in which 7 Brew would be built requires a five foot setback from the road, however a 48 foot setback is being proposed for 7 Brew in order to accommodate the drive-thru lanes and access points.

Commissioner Arntsen and Commissioner Rice spoke of former commission discussions to allow for greater setbacks north of Maria Drive due to the highway access, but maintaining the five foot setback south of Maria Drive to create a more “downtown” and pedestrian friendly atmosphere. 7 Brew Coffee would be built south of Maria Drive.
“I wonder how serious we are about the setback and the pedestrian friendly aspect of it.” Arntsen said.
Kuhn described the setback established over ten years ago as “noble,” but not particularly realistic when dealing with drive-thru establishments that require room for cars to queue and enter then exit the property.
“The five foot setback is a hope that would be really nice, but I don’t think it has a terribly great foothold in this corridor.” Mayor Wiza stated.
Upon voting on the conditional use permit to construct the building, the commission voted 3-3. The commission voted 5-1 to approve a site plan review to construct the building.