A Dutch Bros. Coffee drive-through is headed to the corner of Ogden and Saratoga avenues after the Downers Grove Village Council voted unanimously on Sept. 8 to approve the project.

The chain expects to break ground before winter and open in early spring 2027. The long-vacant site near Downers Grove North High School and Herrick Middle School is estimated to generate $70,000 in annual sales tax revenue for the village.

The approval overrode a 5-1 recommendation against the project from the village's Planning and Zoning Commission, which reviewed an earlier version of the proposal in May. Village commissioners said the plan they approved was "vastly different" from that original submission, with additional safety restrictions, according to Shaw Local.

The council had first taken up the proposal at its Aug. 4 meeting but delayed a vote to gather more traffic study information.

Bryan Gay, president and CEO of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corp., told the council at that August meeting that the site was strategically chosen for this type of use. Commissioner Martin Tully said the village has spent two decades revitalizing Ogden Avenue and called the property a clear underperformer that deserved development, Shaw Local reported. Commissioner Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt said the sales tax revenue helps reduce the property tax burden on residents.

Not everyone was convinced.

Saratoga Avenue resident Jodi Walsh urged the council to reject the plan at the Sept. 8 meeting, saying, "Going up and down that street is near impossible. It is not healthy. It is not safe."

Resident Renee Mazour said the area has very minimal parking and questioned whether the site is large enough for a drive-through business. Mary Kay Holmes, who works with seniors at the Downers Grove Township Center at 4341 Saratoga Ave., warned that traffic congestion could discourage seniors from visiting the center. The FISH Food Pantry also operates at that address.

David Lorette raised safety concerns about the shop's proximity to Herrick Middle School, noting the school's population will grow with the addition of sixth-grade students.

Commissioner Mike Davenport acknowledged the concerns but said the property is zoned for business and that a high-traffic commercial tenant would likely occupy the site regardless. He said the council's goal was to minimize the chances of a poor outcome.

At the Sept. 8 meeting, Commissioner Tully said traffic and safety were "of absolute paramount concern" and noted the village retains the ability to reassess conditions after the business opens. Mayor Bob Barnett reminded residents that he and the six commissioners are themselves residents with children in local schools.

Dutch Bros. representatives told the council that business drops roughly 50% about six weeks after a grand opening and that 12 to 15 cars in line is considered average. The company said it hires third-party traffic controllers as needed. A planned future Dutch Bros. location in Darien should also help ease vehicle stacking at the Downers Grove shop, Patch reported.

No specific groundbreaking date has been set. The village retains authority to impose additional conditions after the store opens.