Drive-thru Starbucks in Pine clears hurdle

Starbucks is one step closer to building a drive-thru-only store in Pine.

Because the proposed store won’t offer any inside or outside seating, Starbucks is seeking to include fewer parking spots at the site than the amount required by township ordinance. During a public hearing in January, Pine’s board of supervisors approved a conditional use request for the reduction in spaces.

On Feb. 6, supervisors unanimously voted to approve a decision letter submitted to municipal staff by township solicitor Gary Gushard. For conditional use agreements, the township must issue a written decision with findings.

The agreement reduces the number of spots at the site from 47 to 36. The arrangement is for 13 spots in the queue for the drive-thru window and 23 spaces otherwise.

Starbucks’ land development application to the township is separate from the conditional use process and still is pending.

The proposed location is at 120 Town Centre Blvd. in the Village of Pine. Plans call for the building, formerly a Sonic restaurant, to be reconfigured with no additions, according to information presented in January.