Planning commission approves Veritas addition, Starbucks extension and Yummy Bowl alcohol permit; recommends U‑Haul cargo‑van use to council

The O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission took action on several business and site‑plan requests on Jan. 8.

Veritas Christian Academy: Ken Bacalar of CJB Architecture presented a proposal for a 2,500 sq ft training and restroom building at 1145 Tom Geneva Road. Commissioners pressed the applicant on long‑standing temporary trailers and storage containers on campus. The commission approved the site plan on a motion that added a requirement that the applicant discuss the trailer/storage issue with city staff and resolve it, keeping consistent treatment with other school districts where appropriate.

609 South Main (Starbucks extension): Austin Craddock, representing the property owner, requested a one‑year extension of a site plan approval originally granted in February 2025. The commission approved a one‑year extension and added condition #5 clarifying that the northeast access onto Marie Lane shall be modified to an exit‑only configuration; staff said the change had been intended when the item last appeared but was omitted from the report.

Yummy Bowl (1365 Highway K): Ethan Chen, manager of the restaurant, requested a conditional use permit to allow on‑site sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink; business and city public advocate Arnie Deanoff spoke in favor with caveats about background checks. The commission approved the CUP subject to staff’s standard conditions and any applicable licensing requirements.

U‑Haul at Postal Capital (1120 Technology Drive): U‑Haul representative Adam asked for approval to base three cargo vans at Postal Capital. Commissioners and the property owner discussed whether the vans should be restricted to rear parking to preserve customer spaces and curbside parking; after public comment the commission voted to recommend approval to city council and removed the restrictive reserved‑parking requirement so the property owner and tenant can work out parking placement.

Procedure and next steps: Items approved by the commission will either proceed as final actions or as recommendations to the city council depending on code requirements; each approval carries standard staff conditions and, where noted, additional conditions (Veritas trailers, Marie Lane exit‑only).