Members of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee granted planning permission for 20 new homes and a retail unit on land to the north-east of the village.
They had previously agreed to an outline request for 15 houses and backed the increased number sought by Peterkin Homes Ltd when they met on Tuesday.
Under the new plans, the village will also get its own shop.
The scheme already had the support of Aberdeenshire Council planners, who said it met all necessary requirements, despite a number of objections from local people.
Nine letters of representation were submitted to the authority arguing that the construction of so many new homes would impact on the village's identity and character, place pressure on capacity at Glenbervie Primary School, increase noise and traffic levels and lead to congestion as cars park to use the shop.
But others suggested that a shop would be an asset to Drumlithie and that flatted accommodation could be incorporated above it.
This was an idea supported enthusiastically by councillors.
Plans for the shop had originally attracted concern from the council's roads department but the objection was withdrawn after the developer amended proposals to increase visibility around the retail unit.
The scheme will include at least two low cost homes, and the developer will make a cash contribution to meet the affordable housing requirement.
An area of public open space has also been incorporated into the designs, which could become a children's play area.
Planners said the houses could "more than adequately be accommodated on the site, without any detrimental impact on the amenity of prospective residents of the dwellings and Drumlithie's existing residents."
Councillors agreed and granted the scheme full planning permission, subject to a number of conditions.