Coon Rapids Planning Commission Approves Drive-Thru Coffee Shop at Riverdale Village Despite Parking Concerns

The Coon Rapids Planning Commission has approved a site plan for a new drive-thru-only coffee shop at Riverdale Village, concluding a detailed review that weighed parking reductions, traffic flow, architectural standards, and communication gaps between tenants and property management.

The decision was made during the commission’s December 18, 2025 meeting and is formally recorded as Planning Case 25-14. The application was submitted by Kueber Coffee Minnesota, LLC, which official city notices and business filings identify as the regional franchisee for 7 Brew Coffee. While the name “Quber Coffee” has appeared in some summaries, city records list Kueber Coffee as the applicant of record.

Project Overview and Location

The approved development is located at 12792 Riverdale Boulevard NW, positioned at the southeastern corner of the Riverdale Village property, directly east of the Vitamin Shoppe and near the former JCPenney building. The facility is designed exclusively for drive-thru service and is intended to support high-volume, rapid transactions.

The site plan features a modular layout consisting of two separate structures:

• A 510-square-foot service building for beverage preparation and order fulfillment
• A 410-square-foot storage building for ingredients and dry goods

Vehicle access is provided from both Riverdale Boulevard and River Rapids Drive, with River Rapids Drive designated as the primary access point to reduce congestion along the main commercial corridor.

Operational Model and Traffic Management

Consistent with the 7 Brew brand model, the shop will not use traditional speaker boxes. Instead, staff members known as “texters” will take orders directly from customers using iPads while walking alongside vehicles in the drive-thru lanes.

To manage traffic demand, the plan includes 24 vehicle stacking spaces across two drive-thru lanes. Commissioners focused closely on whether this configuration would prevent spillback into River Rapids Drive or Riverdale Boulevard, particularly during peak periods such as the grand opening. The applicant indicated that staffing would typically range from seven to ten employees per shift, increasing to approximately 20 staff members during high-volume events.

Parking Loss Draws Commission Scrutiny

The most debated issue was the net loss of 15 parking spaces resulting from the drive-thru layout and building placement. Commissioners questioned whether the reduction could negatively affect nearby retailers.

After reviewing parking counts for the broader shopping center, the commission concluded that Riverdale Village currently maintains a substantial surplus of parking beyond city requirements. Based on that assessment, members determined the impact on adjacent tenants would be minimal and did not warrant denial of the application.

Design Standards, Lighting, and Landscaping

Architecturally, the service building will be clad in Nichiha fiber cement siding, a premium material designed to resemble brick and align with the established character of Riverdale Village. The exterior color palette will feature beige and black tones.

The commission reviewed compliance with several zoning and design standards, including:

• Lighting, which must meet the city’s dark sky regulations to limit glare and light spill
• Landscaping, including required overstory trees and shrubs to buffer drive-thru lanes
• Signage, where commissioners noted that a future variance may be required if additional branding is proposed on the west elevation beyond what zoning currently allows

Public Hearing Highlights Communication Gaps

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, commissioners acknowledged concerns about limited communication between the Riverdale Village property manager and prospective tenants. While the issue did not alter the final vote, the commission emphasized that clearer coordination among property owners, brokers, and applicants will be expected for future redevelopment proposals.

Approval With Conditions and Broader Development Context

The Planning Commission approved the site plan with conditions, including a provision that any future changes exceeding 30 percent of the approved design would require additional commission review.

The meeting concluded with updates on several other projects signaling continued development activity in Coon Rapids, including:

• A preliminary plat request for single-family homes at Balcony Farms
• A proposal for an Asian grocery store in the former Wells Fargo building
• Ongoing progress on a 34-unit townhome development at 10701 Butternut Street

The approval positions the drive-thru coffee shop as one of several projects shaping Riverdale Village and the city’s broader commercial landscape heading into 2026.

MinneapoliMedia