Planning commissioner OKs Starbuck’s bid to open in Montrose

Starbucks could soon start brewing in Montrose after a Glendale planning official this week signed off on an application that will allow the company to operate with fewer parking spaces than required by law.

The permit, approved in a letter dated Feb. 1 by Planning Officer Laura Stotler, allows the coffee house to have 14 fewer parking spaces. Stotler also approved a conditional-use permit so Starbucks can operate as a fast-food establishment because the store will have more than eight seats.

But at least one local business may file an appeal within the 15 day deadline. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, located across the street from where the Starbucks is slated to open on the southeast corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard.

“We’re going to carefully consider this,” said Terry Mansky, senior vice president of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

He added that he’s disappointed with the decision, but not surprised.

“That seems to be happening in places across the country,” he said. “Wall Street icons are able to do what they want, regardless of the local implications.”

According to plans filed with the city, the 2,122-square-foot space will 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. There will be 23 seats inside and 13 outside.

Mike Moslin — president of Color Me Mine, which will be moving to a space next door — said the Starbucks will generate badly needed foot traffic in the Montrose Shopping Park.

“I think that streets like Honolulu — and every community has one — are dying,” he said.

People are now going to what he called “power centers,” where there is a movie theater complex, restaurants and various lifestyle stores, such as the Americana at Brand, he added.

He said he didn’t think Starbucks will hurt Coffee Bean’s business when it opens.

“You’ll have double the activity. That’s what you’re going to have,” he said.