Planning commission approves Starbucks with drive‑through at Westbridge Plaza
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Summary
The West Sacramento Planning Commission on March 20 approved a conditional use permit and design review for a new Starbucks cafe with a double‑lane drive‑through at 2270 Lake Washington Boulevard, with conditions covering circulation, landscaping, building materials and a Class 32 CEQA exemption.
The West Sacramento Planning Commission on March 20 approved a conditional use permit and design review for a new Starbucks cafe and drive‑through at 2270 Lake Washington Boulevard in the Westbridge Plaza shopping center.
Staff told commissioners the drive‑through triggers the conditional use permit requirement under section 17.30 of the zoning code, which allows the city to review circulation, traffic, lighting and landscaping impacts for drive‑through facilities. Elijah Ortega, associate planner, said the city’s traffic engineer reviewed the proposal’s double‑lane, 18‑vehicle queuing plan and concluded it “adequately addresses the anticipated level of vehicle traffic for the project.” Ortega also said the project will provide 17 trees and requires the drive‑through lanes be paved in concrete to reduce heat reflection, and that the design was reviewed for consistency with the Westbridge Plaza design guidelines. Staff recommended certifying a Class 32 CEQA exemption and adopting Resolution 2044 PC approving the permit and design review.
Aaron Gutierrez, representing Valerio Architects and the project applicant, said the firm prepared the design and that Starbucks supports the project. He described the building as a Starbucks prototype adapted to the center and said the applicant provided operational data supporting the double‑lane queue, noting expectations of about 14 cars in normal conditions and up to 19 cars during peak hours. "Starbucks is very for this project," Gutierrez said.
Commissioners asked about the building’s Creole‑style references and circulation. One commissioner said the Creole influence was difficult to see beyond wrought iron accents; staff and the applicant pointed to brick facade elements, faux windows, wrought‑iron balcony accents and other features that staff said meet the center’s design guidelines. On circulation, a commissioner asked whether a single pickup window could lead to spillback into the unnamed road that serves the center; staff said the traffic engineer reviewed the queueing analysis and agreed the double‑lane approach is appropriate for anticipated traffic.
After questions, a commissioner moved to approve staff’s recommendation. The motion passed and the commission closed the hearing; staff announced that any interested party may appeal the planning commission decision to the city council by filing a written appeal with the city clerk within 15 days and paying the required fee.
The approval includes the conditional use permit requirement for the drive‑through, the design review consistent with Westbridge Plaza guidelines, and the conditions discussed by staff addressing pavement, wayfinding, curb ramps, crosswalks, parking lot trees, and limitations tied to the approved plans. The record notes the project was presented as the final vacant parcel in the center, located north of the existing Arco gas station.
The planning commission’s approval clears the way for the developer and Starbucks to proceed to building permits, subject to the conditions of approval and the 15‑day appeal period.
