Neighbors say Starbucks landscaping falls short of screening promises; council directs staff review

Ingleside — Neighbors and several council members pressed the city on whether the landscaping and screening installed at the new Starbucks meet the city’s screening requirements, and staff agreed to review the development plans and report back at the next meeting.

The discussion stemmed from complaints that the planted beds and small shrubs along the restaurant’s property line now provide only minimal visual screening. “Screen in the form of a solid fence or landscaping shall be required to protect neighboring residences from all commercial establishments or required parking lots,” a council member read from the code during the discussion, and neighbors said the current planting was insufficient to mitigate headlights, trash and noise.

Adam G. Bernard of Development Services told council that city files show the submitted landscape plan was reviewed and a building permit issued in late 2024. Bernard said the plants approved in the plan are varieties that can, over time, reach heights of 3–5 feet and were included in the approved planting schedule. He also said the project has not reached final occupancy for the shell building and additional interior permits and reviews remain.

Council members said that, regardless of long-term growth, the current planting is not an adequate screen now. One council member urged staff to check the as-built planting against the approved plans and to verify the timing for final inspections and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The city attorney and development staff advised that enforcement of the screening requirement is a code-compliance matter and that zoning conditions must be recorded in appropriate documents to be enforceable; the city’s code currently allows either a fence or landscaping to meet the requirement.

Council direction and next steps

Staff said they would inspect the site, compare as-built plantings to the approved plan, and report back to the council at the next regular meeting with recommended next steps. Council members discussed potential code amendments for future projects to specify heights or plant sizes at installation to prevent prolonged periods before screening becomes effective.

Speakers and provenance

The exchange included comments from Adam G. Bernard, who presented the development timeline and plan review, and from multiple council members and nearby residents during the public hearing and agenda item discussion. The item generated sustained debate but no immediate enforcement action; staff were asked to return with a written memo and photographs.