We whole-heartedly agree with the commission's decision and we urge the city council to follow suit and deny the request when it returns to City Hall on appeal, which it most certainly will.

Subway, simply put, is not a good fit in the Saratoga Village, especially since the franchise is seeking a storefront at the gateway to the city's quaint and historic business district. While Starbucks blends in nicely in the area, Subway would detract from the character of the downtown.

There's nothing wrong with a merchant opening a Subway store in Saratoga--in the proper location. The franchise is more appropriate for strip centers and shopping malls.

Certainly Saratoga has to consider mixing some national retail with its locally-owned businesses in the Village for the sake of its economic vitality; otherwise the downtown will continue to struggle to attract shoppers. But it's good the see that the planners would not just jump at the first opportunity it has to fill a storefront.

A Subway store displays a gaudy yellow, white and green logo on its signage--which Glasauer admits she cannot change--and it would stick out like a beacon on Big Basin Way. Subway has no business setting up shop in the Village. Now it's up to the city council to make sure it doesn't happen.