By Cecily Barnes
Five representatives from Starbucks showed up at the Planning Commission's study session last Wednesday and at first, no one was really sure why.
The company, which has submitted an application to move into Saratoga's Corinthian Flowers location on Big Basin Way, is scheduled to appear before the Planning Commission on Jan. 22. At this scheduled public hearing, the Planning Commission will approve or reject Starbucks' conditional-use permit application.
However, the coffee chain's representatives placed themselves on last Wednesday's agenda to let the commission in on their plans.
"This was not a push for approval, we just really wanted to present our project and get feedback," said Starbucks Real Estate Manager Ron Taylor.
At the beginning of the evening, Planning Commissioner Marcia O. Kaplan frankly expressed her confusion over the reason for Starbucks' visit. "I don't see the purpose of [their] being here," she said.
However, Saratoga's Community Development Director, Paul Curtis, cleared things up somewhat.
"This is not a time to discuss land use issues," Curtis said. "This is just a 'who we are, what we're doing and we'll see you in two weeks [at the Jan. 22 public hearing].' "
Adorned with poster board signs, illustrations of the prospective site and a musically equipped video tape, Starbucks' Taylor led the show, explaining how the Seattle-based coffee company is philanthropic and community-oriented.
"We take a lot of pride in the fact that we are very concerned with the neighborhoods we enter," Taylor said. "We're not just a cookie-cutter company that puts up buildings that look the same wherever we go."
Starbucks' architect Paul Bosman outlined some of the specifics of the proposed site. Contrary to what the company typically does, in Saratoga the signage will be a wooden logo backed by a halo of light, Bosman said. Furthermore, the company intends to paint the building, add French doors and a trellis, do extensive landscaping and plant a heritage tree.
Besides explaining their architectural plans, Taylor emphasized Starbucks' social conscience and good neighbor traits.
"This company starts from the top down caring about its people. They hire from the community; after 90 days all employees get benefits, and after one year, they're offered stock options," Taylor explained. "The company is built like you or I would build a company."
After Taylor's presentation, commissioner Kaplan fielded questions from the audience. However, people with traffic, parking and personal taste concerns were asked to hold their comments for the Jan. 22 public hearing.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 15, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.