Planning Commission approves site plans for 7 Brew Coffee
Published 10:47 am Friday, June 2, 2023
- Star Photo/Robert Sorrell Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission approved site plans for a new 7 Brew Coffee.
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
The Elizabethton Regional Planning Commission reluctantly approved site plans for a new 7 Brew Coffee set to be built on West Elk Avenue.
Board members approved the new drive-thru coffee chain location during its June meeting on Thursday. The chain has recently expanded into Northeast Tennessee and plans to open a new location at 415 West Elk Avenue, the current site of a Pizza Hut.
Director of Planning and Zoning Logan Engle told the board Pizza Hut will be moving to a new shopping center currently under construction on Broad Street.
The developer plans to demolish the Pizza Hut building and construct a more than 500 square foot building, as well as a 278 square foot cooler. The property will also include two drive-thru lanes, Engle said.
Board members approved the plans, but said they are concerned about the location due to traffic.
“I’m not against 7 Brew coming in, I am concerned this is going to be a bottle neck,” said board member James Little.
Chairwoman Dena Bass, who said he was also concerned about heavy traffic in that portion of West Elk Avenue, said she would like to know how many cars will be able to sit in the 7 Brew lines without disrupting the roadway.
Board members said they were already concerned with vehicles entering and exiting the nearby Pal’s Sudden Service. The new 7 Brew would be located next door to Pal’s.
Member Dan Holder said the city should address issues caused by traffic at the Pal’s before creating a new problem at the proposed 7 Brew.
Despite concerns, the board unanimously approved the plans. Little said he reluctantly approved. Board member and City Council member Wes Frazier was absent Thursday.
Engle said the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which is currently overseeing construction work on West Elk Avenue has reported that it does not foresee any issues in approving a driveway entrance.
7 Brew operates a location on North Roan Street in Johnson City and is preparing to open a second location on State of Franklin Road near East Tennessee State University. It also operates a location on East Stone Drive in Kingsport.
Board members also unanimously approved site plans for a new Eastman Credit Union which will be built at 1530 West Elk Avenue near Sycamore Shoals Hospital. The site will include a 4,590 square foot building, as well as a three-lane drive thru and a parking lot.
ECU announced in January that it was planning to open its first location in Elizabethton. The organization broke ground at the property in April and expects to open the new branch in early 2024.
