LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – During a short meeting on Tuesday night, the Clearlake Planning Commission approved a new drive-thru bakery and coffee shop.
The commission gave unanimous consent for the new drive-thru at 15090 Olympic Drive, proposed by Pascal Hue De Laroque, who owns a drive-thru in Clearlake Oaks, Marcel’s French Bakery & Cafe, as well as a coffee shop by the same name in downtown Lakeport.
The city’s zoning code defines drive-thrus as a “special use” that are required to secure a use permit.
Senior Planner Mark Roberts’ written report to the commission noted that drive-thrus are recognized as having some “objectionable characteristics, such as noise, idling vehicles and traffic conflicts,” so that “special regulation review” of these special uses is necessary.
Assistant Planner Susanna Amaro-Gutierrez told the commission that the drive-thru aspect of the project triggered review, otherwise, it would have been an over-the-counter business license check.
Roberts told the commission that Hue De Laroque’s proposal does not currently include indoor or outdoor sitdown dining.
The building that will be used for the shop – previously a single-family residence – was remodeled in 2017 for the use of a bakery, Classy Cakes, which operated in that location until recently, according to the staff report.
Roberts said the project involves minor renovations, including the installation of a drive-thru window on the west side of the building and new signage, upgrading the exterior lighting fixtures, trimming the overgrowth off the entryway tree, installing a brand-new security system with generous coverage of traffic on Olympic Drive, and other aesthetic improvements.
He said there will be one-way traffic through the drive-thru, with customers to enter through the existing 19-foot-wide driveway located on the eastern portion along Olympic Drive. They would exit on the western portion of Olympic Drive through another existing driveway which is 35 feet wide.
Commissioner Lisa Wilson asked if a traffic study was conducted for the project. Roberts said no, as it wasn’t required.
As proposed, Hue De Laroque’s drive-thru would accommodate stacking of up to seven vehicles at a time, with two employees present at any given time, according to the staff report.
Commissioner Erin McCarrick asked Hue De Laroque if people would be able to wait for orders in parking spaces. He said they would have stalls to pull into, so they would be able to stack a total of 15 vehicles.
Commissioner Fawn Williams asked about signage to indicate the one-way traffic through the site. Hue De Laroque said he plans on putting up “do not enter” signage and paint on the pavement to direct traffic.
During public comment, Roberts read emails that included messages from two individuals who are negotiating with the city to open a drive-thru coffee kiosk, a Mudslingers franchise, near the recycling center in the Burns Valley Mall.
They said their project will not have an impact on traffic on Olympic Drive, and questioned the close proximity of Hue De Laroque’s project to theirs; mapping shows the two sites are about a third of a mile apart. One of the Mudslingers representatives asked for his project to be denied.
On the issue of fairness raised by Mudslingers, Commissioner Robert Coker asked if it’s fair to allow the Mudslingers drive-thru to locate near the Sisters Coffee House, which also is in the Burns Valley Mall.
Roberts said the city gives everyone equal opportunity to apply to open a business, operate, bring revenue and better the community.
“I’m good with that answer,” Coker said.
Commission Chair Kathryn Davis asked Hue De Laroque if he would still want to do a drive-thru if it weren’t for COVID-19.
He replied that he wanted to put in a drive-thru in Clearlake two years ago, before he opened his drive-thru in Clearlake Oaks, but at that time there wasn’t a location available.
Davis also asked him about his hours of operation. He said he wants to operate 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
McCarrick moved to approve a resolution approving the use permit application, which Coker seconded and the commission approved 5-0.
City Manager Alan Flora told Lake County News that Clearlake has only one other drive-thru coffee shop currently operating, Catfish Coffee. A Starbucks on Dam Road that hasn’t been built yet also has been permitted for a drive-thru.
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Clearlake Planning Commission approves new drive-thru bakery and coffee shop
- Elizabeth Larson
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