Altoona's new proposed Starbucks faces opposition
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Rendering: Courtesy of the City of Altoona
A proposed Starbucks in Altoona is facing opposition from locals, ranging from traffic congestion to competition concerns from the city's sole locally-owned coffee shop across the street.
Why it matters: The Starbucks would open at the former Family Video site at 501 8th Street SW, but some residents and local commission members are worried about the traffic hazards a Starbucks could cause for Altoona Elementary School, which is two blocks away.
- The Altoona City Council plans to vote Monday on whether to allow the development.
State of play: The Starbucks is proposed by the company that owned Family Video, Tennessee-based Highland Ventures.
- It would require demolishing the store and constructing a 2,400-square-foot Starbucks with a drive-thru, 30 parking spots and outdoor seating.
- An attorney for Highland Ventures declined to speak with Axios about the site plan.
Flashback: Altoona's planning and zoning commission denied recommending the Starbucks during its Sept. 24 meeting, because of traffic and the drive-thru's proximity to the school, since both have the same peak hours. But the council could still approve it.
- The body deferred voting on the issue until Monday after considering it during an Oct. 7 meeting. Altoona council members did not return requests for comment by deadline.
What they're saying: Chris Forristall, a parent with two children in Altoona Elementary, says he's already concerned about traffic in the area and does not allow his kids to walk to school.
- "Even walking by myself, I have come close to being hit by drivers several times over the last several years," Forristall tells Axios.
Plus: Altoona's only locally owned coffee shop, Best Day Coffee, opened less than a year ago across the street, and its owner is concerned about the plan.
- Kara Ohorilko, the owner of Best Day Coffee, says she's still in the early growth of her business, noting there are already four Starbucks in the suburb.
- "I will work my hardest and do everything I can because I think the community wants and needs a small, locally owned coffee shop, but it would be an incredibly difficult obstacle to overcome," Ohorilko says.
What we're watching: John Shaw, the city's community development director, says the council will consider an updated site plan that includes an entryway along 8th Street, which should address traffic concerns.
- Most elementary students also walk alongside the east side of 5th Avenue SW, which is on the opposite side of the proposed site, he says.
What's next: The council meeting is 6:30pm Monday.