A small group of Rancho Mirage residents have filed a lawsuit against the city in an attempt to thwart construction of a recently approved In-N-Out Burger location that, let’s face it, is desperately needed by the city.
Via KESQ:
Members of the organization “Save Rancho Mirage” filed the lawsuit on behalf of the residents. One member of the organization told News Channel 3 “Save Rancho Mirage” is claiming that the city has “violated the California Environmental Quality Act by illegally claiming an exemption – and has illegally changed the zoning for the proposed project site.”
Earlier this month, the Rancho Mirage City Council voted 4-0 to approve In-N-Out’s location, the Rancho Las Palmas Shopping Center on Highway 111 and Magnesia Falls, right across the street from ‘the River.’
“The Project is in direct contravention to the City’s own General Plan and zoning requirements, and the requirements of well-established law under CEQA,” reads court documents filed by “Save Rancho Mirage.”
The organization petition demands that the In-N-Out project be suspended until the city conducts a more thorough study is done to determining whether the project is in compliance with the CEQA, as well as compensation for the cost of the suit and attorney fees.
The attorney’s fees compensation may be the most important part of the lawsuit as a GoFundMe for the group was only able to raise $75 despite plenty of media coverage of their sparsely attended protest.
Those against In-N-Out in Rancho Mirage argue that the restaurant will bring traffic and all the crime. The city argues that the building is equipped to deal with a few extra cars in the area and that the business will provide actual good jobs in the area.
Let’s start a go fundraiser to build a wall around Rancho Mirage. These people need a hobby.
Except that none of the non-management people who get jobs at the Rancho Mirage In-N-Out will be making enough money to live in Rancho Mirage.
Actually, it is a large group of residents behind the opposition – the issue is not about In-N-Out. The issue is that the studies done to support the project were very flawed, the city did not do a full environmental impact report because it incorrectly claimed an exemption and also changed the zoning to fit the project – which is called spot zoning. It does not comply with the city’s master plan. Whether or not one is for In-N-Out and whether it fits with Rancho Mirage we can debate all day – what is more important are the unintended consequence a drive through fast food restaurant in that location will have. It is also about the council running roughshod over residents who voiced concerns. The council had its mind made up long before the public hearing.
Spot on
In-N-Out is too good for Rancho Mirage. Glad they told R.M. “no thank you” and withdrew their plans.
The comment from the City about “a few extra cars” was hilarious!!! I’ve seen a few In n Outs in Orange County and they all have cars at least 20 deep in line at the drive through during peak times. The locations were not chosen wisely. Either the parking lot is congested or the line backs up into the street and blocks traffic or both.
Cactus Hugs stinks. Distorts info to the point only a dim wit and short sighted, narrow minded fool would listen. Fact is, the city council didn’t do its job and sloppily and greedily forced through permits and variances that they shouldn’t have. You can’t just put fast food anywhere you want. There are laws and regulations. What’s next? A bar? A gas station? How would you like it if they were putting one right in front of your home? Yeah, exactly. Think people. Think. And make the city council do their job. They have been screwing up this town for years. Enough is enough. https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/2019/02/01/vacant-mobile-home-park-cost-rancho-mirage-11-million/2716060002/