Burger restaurant given more time to comply with city
’s deal
The City Council gave In-N-Out Burger the year’s extension that it asked for, allowing the popular burger restaurant time to move ahead with plans to build on the northwest corner of Cochrane Road and U.S. 101.
Council had said it would override the general plan, that forbids fast food restaurants at such gateway locations, but permission was only good for a year – to May.
The variance was approved only if In-N-Out brought a sit-down restaurant along with it.
Finding Denny’s took time after several other chain restaurants turned them down.
Ron Volle, real estate manager for In-N-Out said he did not think they would need the entire year.
“We are very close to meeting the May deadline,” Bolling said.
He said he was hoping for a May-June-July project beginning.
Councilman Mark Grzan did not support the extension.
“It’s not because I have anything against burgers,” Grzan said, “but because I served on the general plan task force – we wanted our gateways to be somewhat special. I’m afraid we’ll have an incursion of (fast food places) and will become just like any other city along 101.”
Councilman Greg Sellers said council insisted on good looking buildings.
“Through design and architectural elements, we set the bar pretty high,” Sellers said.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy said council was responding to pleas from the community to let In-N-Out in.
In other action, an ordinance change that would allow larger monument signs at businesses was continued to April 6.
Councilman Larry Carr said he would prefer giving The Ford Store, which asked for the change, a variance instead.
“I’m just not comfortable doing this now,” Carr said.
“Variances have high requirements for a reason. I don’t think the city should be changing its ordinances on a request of one business.”
Ford wanted to install a 49.5-square-foot sign; the city does not allow signs more than 48 square-feet.
City staff will investigate other cities’ sign requirements.
Council also continued to April 6 an ordinance requiring all new multi-unit housing to have separate water meters for each unit, an arrangement that has resulted in lower water usage and bills in other communities.
