But it's not really their fault. There's not enough variety to attract people to the city's downtown area. The Saratoga City Council, though, is trying its best to do something about that.

Last week the council, in a unanimous 4-0 vote (Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith absent), approved an application for a conditional-use permit for a Starbucks Coffee store at Corinthian Corners on Big Basin Way near Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.

Residents packed the council chambers for the meeting, and more than 50 people stepped to the podium during the public comment period--the majority to oppose the application. Most in opposition repeated the same tired arguments residents use to oppose to most changes to the city.

But there were others who offered new, refreshing comments in support of the proposal, and the Saratoga News applauds the council for picking through the rhetoric to make the courageous decision to accept the application.

A number of opponents voiced concerns over increased traffic in the Village, but downtown building owner Bob Cancellieri shot down those arguments by saying that traffic is just what Saratoga needs to revitalize business in the area. Another speaker repeated the same theme--"It will expand traffic, but God knows we need some traffic ... it's become a ghost town."

Other critics expressed concerns over the future of the International Coffee Exchange and other coffee houses in the downtown area, and shop owners turned in petitions to support their position. Well, the addition of Starbucks does not preclude customers from patronizing the International Coffee Exchange and other such businesses. Residents can still choose where to spend their dollars--it's up to the merchants to remain competitive in the market, it's not up to the city to make sure they succeed.

Klaus Pache, the owner of The Plumed Horse on Big Basin Way, expressed it best when he said, "As much as everyone wants International Coffee Exchange to be successful, the city does not owe them a living."

Fifty-year Saratoga resident Leanne Hernandez said to the crowd, "If I had had this drawbridge mentality, most of you wouldn't be here," adding that competition is good for business.

Francisco Morin, who lives in the downtown and whose family owns the Village Rendezvous restaurant on Big Basin Way, called on those who attended the meeting to support the Village.

"If we had this kind of turnout in town," he said, turning to the crowd, "we wouldn't need a Starbucks."

That pretty well sums up the entire issue. If Saratogans truly love their Village, they must support it. And if they are to support it, there must be something there to attract customers. Starbucks could prove to be just such an attraction, and the council has shown great vision in realizing that.