GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Rumors have been circulating now for some time regarding an incoming Dutch Bros Coffee making its home in Gridley, and residents can officially get excited.

At its most recent meeting held April 17, Gridley’s Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Site Development Plan for a 970 sq. ft.  Dutch Bros Coffee to be located on the eastern side of State Route 99, sandwiched between the south side of Dollar General’s parking lot and the entrance to Sunrise Village senior apartment complex.

At this time, the new business will sit on 1.06 acres, and while construction has not broken ground, representatives from Dutch Bros told the planning commission that building permits had been submitted to the county and they were anxiously awaiting the approval to start construction.

Concerns were raised by planning commission members regarding lighting and entry/exit to the new business.

Caltrans has required entry to the site to be through existing roadways, which in this case, means the entrance to Sunrise Village apartments will double as the access route for the new coffee establishment.

Representatives from GSE Engineering shared that studies had been done to identify the peak number of vehicles visiting a Dutch Bros on “sticker day,” which according to the discussion at the planning commission meeting, is allegedly one of Dutch Bros’ busiest days. The study identified the average max number of vehicles in the drive- through these days is 22. Gridley’s Dutch Bros’ design has allotted for plenty of “stacking” space and will accommodate up to 25 vehicles in line.

Gridley Dutch Bros’ preliminary design allows for 17 parking spaces, a direct access route to-and-from Sunrise Village apartments, two bike racks, and to help control traffic, a stop bar and stop sign will be located at the exit of the Sunrise Village road.

Landscaping has also been planned, but due to a future Caltrans SHOP project, which plans to install curb/gutter and detached sidewalk on the eastern side of State Route 99 from W. Liberty Road to about Ford Ave. north of Gridley, front landscaping will be completed at the time that project is finished.

Planning commission members voted unanimously, determining the project was categorically exempt per CEQA Section 15332, Class 32 for infill development projects and approving the site development plan.