Rendering of the proposed new Starbucks with drive thru at 1247 Trinity Dr. Courtesy/LAC

Staff Report

The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a site plan at its June 9 meeting to relocate the Starbucks on Central Avenue to the old McDonald’s building on Trinity Drive.

The site plan, which was presented by Steve Maestas of Maestas Development Group, proposes relocating the coffee chain from 1801 Central Ave. to 1247 Trinity Dr.

County Senior Planner Sobia Sayeda told the Los Alamos Daily Post today that the site plan calls for demolishing the dilapidated old building and constructing a new commercial building with a drive thru.

The next step, Sayeda said, is to submit a building permit to the Community Development Department for approval, adding that there also is a 14-day appeal period.

The timeline for receiving the building permit application, starting construction and relocating Starbucks yet isn’t known, she said, and a reason was not given as to why Starbucks decided to relocate.

However, in the application for the site plan, it is argued that the new storefront will improve the vacant storefront on Trinity Drive and help grow an existing business.

The application indicates that the County’s Comprehensive Plan calls to “Promote a strong and diverse economic base by encouraging new business growth …  this project exemplifies the growth of an existing business … our project revitalizes an otherwise blighted site.”

Starbuck’s new location has been vacant for more than three years. After McDonald’s moved into a new building down the block near Smith’s Marketplace, building owner Shannon Corporation sold the property to Wendy’s who Sayeda said never applied for a building permit. Wendy’s has sold the building to Starbucks.

While not yet confirmed whether the existing Starbucks on Central Avenue will close, rumors are flying of various eateries interested in taking that prime location should it become vacant.