This section of parking lot across the street from Burger King has been identified as the future home of a Starbucks at the Warren Commons in Conewango Township. Photo by Josh Cotton

WARREN, Pa. — Starbucks is coming to Warren.

The Warren County Zoning Hearing Board approved a request Wednesday morning for special exception that will pave the way for the business to set up shop at the Warren Commons in Conewango Township.

The applicant for the special exception is Chicago-based KDP East LIberty LLC.

A map presented to the board shows that the proposed site is currently an empty parking lot adjacent to the Walk-In Care office and across the street from Burger King.

The parcel is zoned business and that designation requires the hearing for drive-in/thru restaurants to proceed.

“It’s a Starbucks,” Dave Weeber, representing KDP East Liberty LLC, told the board when asked to present on behalf of the applicant. “They require a drive-thru.”

He noted that the restaurant would not be exclusively a drive-thru and will be new construction rather than use of an existing facility.

“(I’m) in favor of new businesses,” Board member Donald Saporito said.

Zoning Officer Michael Lyon explained that special exceptions are “neither special, nor an exception” as this kind of utilization is a permitted use “just with the additional blessing of the Zoning Hearing Board,” particularly due to the increased traffic.

He said he “sees no issues” with the move as it is located within the Warren Commons and recommended that it be approved.

The board approved the special exception unanimously.

Weeber explained that the Warren Starbucks is part of three that are being constructed along with one in Millcreek and another in Blairsville.

He said the firm wants to start construction on one restaurant every two weeks starting in September.

County assessment records show that the parcel is currently owned by Walmart Real Estate Business Trust. Lyon said a subdivision regarding the subject property is currently in process.