By Mike Hazlip—
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission this week is set to review a proposal to build a new
Starbucks at the edge of the city limit.
The proposal for 8850 Auburn Blvd., is just south of Whyte Avenue and borders the county line between Placer and Sacramento that also serves as northern boundary for the city of Citrus Heights. The applicant is listed as Coastal Star Partners with a West Sacramento address, according to public documents submitted to the commission.
A new 2,241-square-foot commercial building would be constructed with a two-lane drive thru to house the Starbucks, according to city documents. The layout would also include a 400-square-foot plaza to allow for outdoor seating.
Just on the other side of the county line in Roseville, the applicant is also proposing a second 2,600-square-foot “quick serve restaurant” with a two-lane drive thru on an adjacent parcel the applicant also owns. Planning Commission documents identify Panda Express as the business that is slated to occupy that building.
The project aligns with the city’s goal of revitalizing Auburn Boulevard, according to the proposal, with elements that include outdoor seating for Starbucks customers, landscaping, and lighting. Exterior styling will have several different finishes, including stucco, brick siding, and natural teak wood, according to the document. A wall to screen vehicles in the drive thru from Auburn Boulevard is also part of the plans.
The plans call for the demolition of the 106-square-foot coffee kiosk that was home to Java Detour until that business closed in December of 2022. A portion of an existing commercial building is also slated for removal, plans show. The 1,447-square-foot liquor store would be leveled for additional parking.
The remaining section of the existing commercial building, currently home to Tea It and Waggin Tails, would be updated so the exterior matches the new Starbucks color palette and materials, according to plans.
The three existing driveway entrances to the site along Auburn Boulevard would be condensed into one signalized driveway, plans show.Traffic studies included in the report show a new signal light at the main entrance from Auburn Boulevard would be needed to improve vehicle flow. The new traffic signal will be part of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Project, with the signal being required to be operational before the opening of Starbucks, according to the document.
The study also recommends new driveway markings for left turning traffic from the site and removal of four parking spaces in front of the Tea It business. Further traffic flow developments on the Roseville side of the development are also recommended in the document.
Because project improvements to street frontage and traffic flows are impacted by the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets plan, the timeline is set for a 2024 to 2025 timeframe.
Construction of the drive thru lanes and additional parking will require the removal of 10 trees at the site. Seven of those trees require mitigation measures, the report said.
The Planning Commission is set to meet at 6 p.m. on May 10 at City Hall to review the project and hold a public hearing. Comments can be made in person, or by emailing planning@citrusheights.net in advance of the meeting. (See agenda)
