The New Ulm City Council on Tuesday approved a conditional use permit (CUP) to allow Scooter’s Coffee drive-through. The business would be part of a new 6,135 square-foot building currently under construction at 318-326 North Broadway. The building will be divided into three sections. The Scooter’s Coffee drive-through would be located on the southern end of the building adjacent to Broadway Haus.

This business is part of the Central Business District of New Ulm. A permit is required to operate a drive-through business in this district.

Community Development Director David Schnobrich explained Scooter’s would be a drive-through only business. There would be no interior service for customers.

As part of the CUP, the business would be required to create a landscape buffer on the property to control headlight cast off and noise from the drive-through. New Ulm zoning requires a fence between commercial and residential properties. Schnobrich said a combination of vegetation and fencing would be place along the Scooter’s property line. The fence would extend the length of the building and parking lot on the south side. Hedges would be place from the Broadway sidewalk to the edge of the building.

A Scooter’s Coffee drive-through will operate from 318-326 North Broadway, following a permit approval Tuesday. Foundation work for the new building is currently underway. Photo by Clay Schuldt

The business will provide off-street parking on the alley side of the building. The main building entrances will also be located on the alley side.

Schnobrich said this building is unique in that the main entrance is off the alley. As a result the main signage will be off the alley, but some additional alley will be needed on the Broadway side as well.

Councilor Larry Mack made the motion to approve the permit with a second from Councilor David Christian. It was passed by the council.

Foundation work is being done at 318-326 North Broadway on a new commercial building. When complete the building will be home to a new Scooter’s Coffee drive-through.