Hermosa Beach Residents agitated by plan for fourth Hermosa Starbucks
by Dan Blackburn
Hermosa Beach residents living near Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway were startled recently to learn that city officials were eyeing approval of a fourth Starbucks coffee shop in the 1.3 square mile city.
The proposed location was Felder’s Body Shop from the late 1960s until 2018 when Felder died in a motorcycle accident, at age 83. The site is twelve blocks south of the Vons Shopping Center and Trader Joe’s shopping center Starbuckses, and a mile southeast of the downtown Starbucks.
A discussion of the proposal by the city’s Planning Commission was set for Jan. 11, but that has now been rescheduled for Feb. 15, following an outcry from neighborhood residents.
Administrative Assistant Mel Hurtado said the meeting date was changed “to allow proper notification” of the public.
Resident Liz Harsch said she saw by chance a notice on the city website that Starbucks officials were seeking a conditional use permit for construction of a 1,300-square-foot commercial building with a drive-thru, a 550-square-foot patio, and outdoor seating area at 204-210 Pacific Coast Highway.
“We already have trouble exiting our street. We have to wait for two signals sometimes to get out to Pacific Coast Hwy. from our one-way street.” Harsch said.
“I believe it is not at all in keeping with our city planning goals. This would be a nightmare,” she said. ER