City council to vote on new Caribou Coffee site

The Oakdale City Council will decide tonight if a new Caribou Coffee shop will take the place of a vacant gas station. 

Earlier this month the Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan and variance for a new Caribou Coffee shop located at the intersection of Century Avenue and Highway 36. A vacant Kwik Stop gas station currently occupies the space.

Caribou Coffee is requesting approval from the city council for the site plan, which would locate a 1,706 square foot restaurant at 6014 Highway 36. The coffee shop is also requesting an 8-foot variance to the 10-foot required parking lot setback located on the southern property line. The variance would allow Caribou to shift the building south and provide an emergency bypass lane and exit for traffic north of the drive-thru lane. 

During the Planning Commission meeting local business owners voiced their concerns that the new Caribou would cause traffic issues in that location. 

The city conducted a traffic study to research any potential traffic issues. City officials reported that the new Caribou would not "adversely impact the roadway." The Minnesota Department of Transportation also gave its support for the new Caribou site. 

The city council will vote during its regular meeting at 7 p.m.