New Starbucks gets green light from Citrus Heights City Council

By Sara Beth Williams-
Key permits for a proposed Starbucks at Stock Ranch Plaza received unanimous approval by the City Council Wednesday.

The new Starbucks was approved for an undeveloped parcel facing Auburn Boulevard, in the same shopping center as Costco and Walmart. Designs show the planned construction of a proposed 2,308-square-foot building with a drive-thru wrapping around the back. The drive-thru will have a two-car entry to allow for less congestion and easier “stacking” of waiting vehicles, according to the city.

Previously, an amendment to the development guide, the design permit and use permit were all approved by the Planning Commission in a 6-0 vote during the Oct. 22 Planning Commission meeting, with Commissioner Marcelle Flowers absent from the meeting.

Along with the Design Review Permit and Use Permit, the applicant was requesting an amendment to the Stock Ranch Guide for Development to allow for extended operating hours for fast-casual and drive-thru restaurants. The guide previously allowed for operating hours from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. for drive-thrus, but the amendment now allows for Starbucks to open at 5 a.m. to remain consistent with other local Starbucks coffee shops, which typically open at 4:30 a.m.

Community Development Director Casey Kempenaar said design and use permits would normally only need to be approved by the Planning Commission, but projects requesting amendments to development guides need to be approved by the City Council.

Councilmember Porsche Middleton questioned the reasoning behind opening another Starbucks with a drive-thru so close to an existing Starbucks that also has a drive-thru, echoing a public comment that was submitted in writing by Alfred Sanchez. Elizabeth Valerio from Valerio Architects explained that offering customers multiple Starbucks locations with drive-thrus allows for more distribution of vehicles leading to less strain on staff at either site.

Both the Planning Commission and City Council members questioned the applicant about whether the existing Starbucks located at Sylvan Corners will close. Valerio said she was not aware of any plans for closure of the existing location.

“Starbucks is very excited for this site, it’s a fantastic location,” Valerio said.

Noise has also been a concern, the city said, which led to established limitations in the guide allowing for only one drive-thru and a requirement of reduced hours of operation. To accommodate noise concerns, the applicant is planning to add screening by means of a low three-foot wall and shrubs to help reduce ambient noise level from vehicles in the drive-thru.

Plans for the new Starbucks location call for landscape improvements between the building and the sidewalk along Auburn Boulevard, including the addition of several new trees, shrubs, and multiple parking spaces. Existing irrigation and landscaping along the boulevard will remain. A rendering of the layout shows an outdoor patio area with several tables in addition to indoor seating. The project provides “pedestrian connectivity” by adding to the existing walking paths that pedestrians can use throughout the shopping center, the city said during its presentation.

The proposed Starbucks is anticipated to generate up to $4,800 in annual sales tax revenue, according to a city staff report.