09-05-2025
Why traffic patterns could complicate plans for new businesses at busy Peoria intersection
A battle over traffic patterns at a busy Peoria intersection could force a proposal to build two drive-thru style restaurants to go elsewhere, including across the river.
A small shopping center that would include a Dutch Bros Coffee and a second restaurant is proposed for the corner of University Street and War Memorial Drive in Peoria, but conflicting concerns over traffic flow from adjacent property owners and the city could pose barriers to the project.
The proposed shopping center would at first include only a Dutch Bros shop. However, the plan, which was approved Thursday by the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission, would allow for a second drive-thru style restaurant to be built at the spot. The two projects would encompass roughly 1.5 acres of the 4.5-acre plot of land.
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The plan would allow for two access points to the site — one off University Street and another off Florence Avenue. However, the project's petitioner, Todd Raufeisen, who represents the construction group RSCC Inc., told the commission that he might not be able to get approval for the project from Dutch Bros without three access points.
Raufeisen told the commission it was "not a threat" but a "reality" that the project could be done elsewhere, like East Peoria.
Ultimate approval for the project, including where access points would be allowed, will be determined by the Peoria City Council, which will hear the matter on May 27.
Only two access points for the site from North University Street and Florence Avenue were ultimately approved, but commission chair Eric Heard said it would be "ideal" to add a third access point from Parish Avenue, connecting the site to War Memorial Drive.
But access to Parish Avenue and, ultimately, War Memorial Drive would need to run through a property to the west of the Dutch Bros site, which is owned by Bob Jokisch. Jokisch, via his attorney Tom Leiter, argued Thursday that traffic on Florence Avenue stemming from the site not be allowed to travel east. Instead, they proposed, via easement or sale, that a connection could be made between Parish Avenue and War Memorial Drive for the site.
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Another adjacent property owner, Kirk Johnson of Bloomington, said he welcomed the Dutch Bros proposal but was concerned with the city's plan to restrict left-turn access from University Street onto their private drive.
Johnson asked the city to produce a traffic study.
Raufeisen indicated he would be open to looking at other possible access points after listening to the concerns of adjacent property owners.
Access from University Street would be restricted to right-in and right-out only, and Florence Avenue would be restricted to left-in and right-out only.
Traffic was also a concern for some on the Planning and Zoning commission. Commissioner Richard Unes raised concerns about what would prevent drivers from taking a left out of the site off University Street.
City staff said bollards could be put in place to encourage drivers to only take a right turn onto University Street.
The proposed development falls within the boundaries of a tax-increment financing district, which could allow the developer to utilize incentives and tax breaks for the project.
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Dutch Bros' proposal indicated to the commission that 95% of its business at the site would likely be drive-thru traffic, and the other 5% would be through walk-up window.
The commission needed to replace a 2007 ordinance for the site that dictated that access to the property from Florence Avenue needed to be closed when auto sales stopped at the property, which used to be home to a car dealership.
A sewer line at the site that conflicts with the location of one of the proposed buildings may have to be moved, according to city staff who said the developer is working with the city on how to possibly do that.
The large plot of land the project would rest on sits at one of Peoria's busiest intersections and has been vacant for more than 15 years. It was most recently home to a Jim McComb Chevrolet dealership.
A credit union was once approved to be built on the land but the development never materialized.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Two new businesses could be built at busy Peoria intersection
