Rancho Mirage – the desert hamlet that is basically what would happen if the Grinch morphed into an entire city – has once again banned drive-thru’s along Highway 111. The move by the city follows In-N-Out Burger”s decision to take their delicious burgers and good jobs elsewhere following a few months of protests and lawsuit threats from a small portion of the city’s residents.
Via the Desert Sun:
The council’s action negates all entitlements approved with the project, including permits and a zoning amendment the council approved with the In-N-Out project that would have allowed fast-food drive-thru’s on Highway 111, in shopping centers 15 acres and larger.
The special meeting of the City Council followed a Jan. 30 letter from In-N-Out’s attorney, Bryan Wenter with Walnut Creek-based law firm of Miller Starr Regalia, requesting termination of the development agreement.
The City Council approved the 3,885-square-foot fast-food restaurant with drive-thru window on the corner of Highway 111 and Magnesia Falls Drive, in the Rancho Las Palmas shopping center, in October in a 4-0 vote with Mayor Pro Tem Dana Hobart recusing himself.
How the city will now move forward to bring business and decent jobs to the city remains to be seen – but, then again, it’s Rancho Mirage where moving forward and creating decent jobs for the community doesn’t seem like a thing that the most vocal residents are into.
Rancho Mirage city council again shows its an old fart club. There is no need for banning a drive thru just pick more appropriate locations and work with your citizens before making stupid decisions.
I so wanted it there and I live in Rancho Mirage! I work till midnight and I would have been great to grab a protein burger for dinner,
Lori drive 3 miles to the In and out at the 10 or another burger joint in palm desert or cathedral city. Eat a salad, adding the word protein in front of burger doesn’t make it healthier or part of some weird diet fad.
Rancho Mirage residents have every right to ban any business they want. People forget they pay the taxes, not someone who is passing by and wants a burger. Also a burger joint doesn’t do much for property values!
So does that mean they’re going to close Starbucks because it’s an eatery that has a drive thru or are they going to be hypocrites about that as well
Those empty lots on magnesia falls dont do any positives for property values as well and attracts crime and trash
Desert Hot Springs will take the In And Out! Place it just off the I-10 at Palm Drive, back from the Arco station. Another great location, right by the freeway, and with a ready supply of willing workers.