Planning Commission Says No to Second Starbucks on Orange

The Planning Commission voted 3 to 1 Tuesday to deny Starbucks' request for a second store in Coronado.

Commissioner Peter Jensen was the lone supporter of the proposal for a new location at 135 Orange Ave.; Scott Grimes was absent. 

It's the second setback in two weeks for the chain in Coronado; on May 11, Starbucks for its at 960 Orange, .

The store would have been the if the license had been approved.

The new rejection, however, might be temporary; the chain can appeal the commission's decision, which would put the matter before the council.

Because it's defined as a fast-food formula restaurant, Starbucks needed a minor special use permit and a coastal permit to open the new store. 

Commissioners said they don't see a need for another Starbucks in town and added that they were concerned about the impact an additional outlet would have on local businesses.

“This violates the spirit of the Orange Avenue Corridor Specific Plan,” said Commissioner Doug St. Denis, who served on the committee that developed the document.

“We wanted to protect and encourage our neighbors to open a business here,” she said. 

The plan specifically limits the number of fast food formula restaurants to 10; there are now six. Many people expressed fears that this would encourage other formula restaurants in town to ask for second stores. 

Local business owners and community activists turned out to oppose the plan. 

“Please keep our small town values,” said Debbie Boney, owner of , which is next door to the building where the proposed Starbucks could be located. 

She also predicted that caffeine-starved customers would pack her parking lot, though the store is set to have access to underground spaces. “Where there is a Starbucks there is predatory parking,” she said.

The critics bemoaned the effect on Coronado despite the assurances of Keith Glassman, a representative from the Seattle-based coffee giant who said a new store would be “a benefit to the community.”

“This is a neighborhood-based store that will do well by residents, bringing vibrancy to the community,” he said. 

He also noted that homeowners associations at the Point and Landing condominiums supported the proposal.  

“People are thrilled to have a Starbucks,” he said. “It’s a great meeting place for residents and people coming off the ferry.”

Rita Sarich, who heads Coronado MainStreet, which seeks to maintain the character of the community's business district, was not persuaded.

“This business would negatively impact the public welfare. It will adversely impact some of most generous businesses in our community,” she said, citing the market, the eatery and the Nado Life chain of restaurants.

Their commitment to community and personal connections swayed the commission.

“She knows my name I know hers,” St. Denis said of Boney “She created something that is unique to Coronado. Same with Tartine. To put a Starbucks in between would be a mean thing to do and I can’t support it.”

Starbucks has 10 days to appeal the commission's decision. The company's next step is unclear.

“That's up to corporate,” Glassman said. “I have to check with them before I can comment.”