Chardon Planning Commission approved all variances Nov. 16 for the Starbucks Coffee Company building proposed for the corner of Cherry and Center streets, but voted 4-3 against the concept plan as presented.
Chardon Planning Commission approved all variances Nov. 16 for the Starbucks Coffee Company building proposed for the corner of Cherry and Center streets, but voted 4-3 against the concept plan as presented.
“I think everybody here is in favor of a Starbucks at this site. We’re just not happy with the current orientation,” said commission Chairman Andy Blackley at the end of the virtual meeting.
One main objection to the plan presented to the commission was the drive-thru window located on the west side of the building where it will be visible to traffic approaching Chardon on Center Street.
Potential traffic congestion at the corner and “stacking” of vehicles going through the parking lot were also concerns.
The 2,213-square-foot building is on property Sommers Development Group of Chardon bought two years ago, said city Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney. The building that was demolished was known as the McGregor house, he said.
The variances the commission approved included a reduction of parking space along the back of the property, reduction of the minimum lot size from 1 acre to 0.6 acres and how cars will line up to be served.
Yaney said the variance will allow minimum driveway spaces and allows traffic to circulate around the site without blocking sidewalks.
Another variance addressed the stacking plan, which reduced the number of spaces between the ordering window and the pick-up window from six to two, Yaney said, noting the timing allows for serving of coffee, not whole meals.
The potential for traffic snarls at the corner can be minimized by allowing no left turn onto Center Street, he said.
The store is smaller than those in Mentor and Concord and is expected to take some of the pressure off those very busy Starbucks locations as people line up for their morning coffee, Yaney said.
After much back and forth between the city’s architect and the Starbucks’ architect, he said the plan is acceptable to city staff and meets the city code.
“The city arborist generally likes the landscaping plan, but recommended switching tree species,” Yaney said. “(The city has) an overabundance of locust and red maple (trees). The large tree at the corner must remain.”
Company principal Greg Sommers said the city and Starbucks representatives have negotiated the plan for more than six months.
“We didn’t rush this. We looked at every possible scenario,” he told the commission, adding Starbucks made uncommon concessions for appearance.
“It’s going to be a really attractive building, even on the drive-thru side,” Sommers said.
A traffic study was done to ensure the intersection won’t be overburdened by the new store, he said.
After a long discussion about traffic and appearance, the variances were approved, but the commission turned down the concept plan until they can see the other options at a special meeting before the next regular commission meeting.
