Village Council To Vote On Dutch Bros. Proposal In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Downers Grove Village Council will vote Tuesday on measures that would permit the construction of a Dutch Bros. drive-thru coffee shop and multi-tenant retail building at the intersection of Saratoga and Ogden Avenues.

The vote comes amid pushback from neighboring residents who have raised concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety regarding the development, which is near Herrick Middle School.

The village's planning and zoning commission reviewed the proposal at its July 6 meeting and voted 5 to 1 recommend denial.

At the Aug. 11 council meeting, commissioners expressed support for the development, saying it aligns with the goals of the site's tax increment financing (TIF) District.

Commissioner Martin Tully said the site “certainly deserves redevelopment.”

“This was specifically designed for this type of business because of what Ogden Avenue is, because it’s a TIF district and because there’s an intersection there that has a signal.”

Village commissioners also suggested it falls on Downers Grove Grade School District 58 to mitigate Herrick Middle School's ongoing issues with traffic during pickup and dropoff.

Mayor Bob Barnett said he hopes to work with developers to find a way to "diminish the pain" of the project for residents who live nearby

Tuesday's meeting will convene at 7 p.m. at Downers Grove Village Hall.