Most of the roughly 40 people who attended a hearing Wednesday for a proposed Starbucks in Montrose expressed support for the coffee chain, arguing it would generate badly needed foot traffic for the mostly mom-and-pop business district.
Starbucks wants to open a store on the southeast corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard. Company representatives appeared before Planning Officer Laura Stotler requesting a conditional-use permit to operate as a fast-food establishment because the store will have more than eight seats.
As part of Starbucks’ plans, the 2,122-square-foot space would be reduced to 1,768 square feet by moving part of the building’s façade back to create a 354-square-foot outdoor seating area. Inside, the coffee shop would seat 23 customers, and another 13 outside.
The company is also seeking permission to have 14 fewer parking spaces than what are required by city code.
In addition to recurring complaints of Corporate America moving into the “small town” district, a group of opponents cited the parking issue in lobbying against the coffee shop.