In-N-Out Burger and Denny
’s Restaurant are back on the City Council agenda for Wednesday.
They’re asking for a year’s extension of the deadline to start
construction.
In-N-Out Burger and Denny’s Restaurant are back on the City Council agenda for Wednesday. They’re asking for a year’s extension of the deadline to start construction.
Two lots on the northwest corner of Cochrane Road and Highway 101 were supposed to sprout two sit-down restaurants of varying sizes, according the citizen-written general plan, and specifically not a fast food place.
However, no suitable restaurants wanted to locate there and In-N-Out Burger did. Council, having heard from a public eager for those particular burgers, said in May 2003 that it would allow the zoning change only if In-N-Out would bring along with it a sit-down eating establishment.
In-N-Out, a family-owned company with a reputation for treating its employees and customers well, first tried to sign Applebee’s but went with Denny’s after the Applebee’s deal fell through.
They also pursued without success Chili’s, Olive Garden, Mimi’s Café, Max’s Café, Outback Steakhouse, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Carino’s and Red Lobster, said In-N-Out’s project manager Kenneth Keller.
Council put a two-year limit on the zoning change – to May 7, 2005 – saying the second restaurant must have its building permit before In’N’Out could begin construction.
The Planning Commission approved the extension at its Feb. 22 meeting, with one commissioner raising the original objection to a fast food restaurant at a gateway location.
A letter from Keller to the city said the firm hopes to have construction documents for both restaurants to the planning department for a plan check within a month or two.
“We are anxious to start construction and would like to break ground by May 1 of this year,” Keller’s letter said.
Council also will hold a public hearing on the water conservation submetering ordinance that requires individual meters on units in multi-family housing. Studies show that residents with individual meters use less water than those living in multiple units with a single water meter. The new ordinance is in response to the on-going water shortage during temperature peaks in the summer.
The city itself is responding by replacing lawn at City Hall with a low-water landscape and has already replaced the perimeter area lawns in city parks with bark.
It also will consider a change in the size of a monument sign at The Ford Store on Condit Toad, allowing a larger sign that previously allowed (49.54 square-feet instead of the allowable 48 square-feet).
The complete Council agenda is available at the City Clerk’s desk in City Hall and on line. City Council and/or the Redevelopment Agency meets at 7 p.m. most Wednesdays in City Hall Chambers, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: www.morganhill.ca.gov or 779-7271. Council meetings are broadcast live on cable access channel 17.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
