Drive-Thru Starbucks, Burger Joint in Northridge Heading to Commission Vote

A city commission vote is scheduled Thursday for a pair of new drive-thru eateries inside a shopping center at Nordhoff Street and Reseda Boulevard.

Rich Development Enterprises wants to tear down two existing structures at the 1.63-acre plaza and replace them with new ones: one of buildings, situated on the Roscoe Boulevard side of the site is poised to be a Starbucks with a drive-thru window, while the other is slated to be occupied by burger chain Farmer Boy's.

Combined, the new buildings would take up about 7,800-square-feet, according to a department of planning report.

The department's staff is recommending granting a conditional use permit for the project, but one has yet to be granted because only three of five North Valley Area Planning Commission members were present at a May 2 hearing and couldn't lock in a unanimous three-person vote.

A number of nearby residents and neighborhood organizations, including the Sherwood Forest Homeowners Association, are opposing proposed plans as-is, saying they'd prefer to see the drive-thru element removed and let Starbucks and Farmer Boy's operate solely as sit-down businesses.

Increased traffic was noted as a primary concern.

However, the staff report found the project to be in line with the Northridge Community Plan and that it would provide a beneficial service to the adjoining area.

The report also stipulated that the developer must improve pedestrian walkways with improved signage and striping.

Rich Development Enterprises also wants to demolish the second story of another building at the shopping center and redo the facade, the planning staff report reads.

The item will go before the commission Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at the Marvin Braude Building, First Floor Conference Room, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys.

The project's designs and staff report are attached to this story.