Tuesday, Aug. 03, 2010

Hurdle remains for In-N-Out

Chain needs sign variance; no date set for construction

An Irvine-based restaurant has been approved for construction 12 miles outside of Los Banos.

Merced County Supervisor Jerry O'Banion said In-N-Out Burger will be built at the northeast corner of Henry Miller Road and Highway 33 in Santa Nella.

O'Banion said the project did not need approval from the Board of Supervisors because the unincorporated area where it will be built is already zoned to allow for a fast food restaurant. However, O'Banion said there was one last hurdle the chain restaurant did need to overcome.

"They do have an issue coming to the (Merced County) Planning Commission. They need a sign variance," he said.

The sign In-N-Out Burger wants to place at its new location is larger than what is typically permitted by Merced County. Wednesday morning the Planning Commission continued the variance agenda item to its Aug. 25 meeting.

In an e-mail, Carl Van Fleet, vice president of planning and development for In-N-Out Burger, stated that the thoroughfares that are close by and other businesses in the area made the location appealing.

"We are very enthusiastic about the Santa Nella opportunity. It is attractive primarily because of the I-5/33 intersection and all that is going on there. The additional restaurants and hotels in the area just make it a more attractive place for travelers to stop," Fleet's e-mail stated.

So when will In-N-Out Burger open for business?

Fleet's e-mail stated that he doesn't know.

"At this time it is still a little premature to speculate as to a specific opening date, a whole lot has to happen before we can begin construction. Once construction begins it usually takes us four-five months to complete the restaurant but, once again, we've got a great deal to do before that can start.

"I'm sorry I can't be more specific, I'd just be guessing at this point and I don't want to mislead anyone," Fleet stated.