San Carlos is about to find out what a hamburger’s all about when In-N-Out Burger moves into its newest location at one of the city’s main entrances.
Though residents pleaded with the city’s planning commission to consider how the popular fastfood joint would affect neighbors, the project and its controversial sign were unanimously approved Monday night.
“I think that this is the best we’re going to do for this piece of property,” Commissioner Jo Ann Iwasa said of the gravel lot that sits at the northeast corner of Holly Street and Industrial Road near Highway 101.
In approving the restaurant, the commission also authorized the use of a 65-foot-tall pole sign to attract highway motorists.
Though the sign exceeds the city’s maximum height limits for a business by 25 feet — and its side dimensions of 234 square feet are well above the 100-square-foot limit– commissioners agreed to make an exception for the fast-food outlet.
In-N-Out project manager Mark Noack warned officials during the meeting that without the pole sign, the company would lose interest in the property.
“We can’t afford to justify the expenditure and not have a freeway sign,” he told commissioners, stressing that the restaurant depends on visibility.
At previous meetings, In-N-Out had been encouraged to approach two nearby businesses — Dee’s Storage and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, which plans to build a 120-bed hospital down the street — about sharing a sign, which would allow for greater dimensions. However, the foundation found little benefit in the sign and calls to the storage facility went unanswered.
But residents had plenty of concerns besides the sign. They voiced concerns about litter, noise, safety and even the nutritional value of In-N-Out’s food.
“It’s 120 feet from my neighbor’s back fence, and it’s open until 1 in the morning. Can you imagine?” San Carlos resident Pat Bell said.
Commissioners were assured by Noack and city staff that noise wouldn’t be excessive and that the company takes great pride in its landscaping and maintenance.
Further concerns about long drive-thru lines were dispelled by an explanation that the company intends to create an overflow lane on site and serve customers quickly.
In addition, In-N-Out officials agreed to install air scrubbers to control typical fast-food odors. City staff was told the company only has one other location with air scrubbers in place.
Dave Morrison has seen the site — which City Attorney Greg Rubens said was city-owned for about 20 years — remain largely unused in his 38 years of running Morrison School Supplies across the street. Though he left Monday night’s meeting still concerned about his customers being inconvenienced and potential security problems, he expressed hope that In-N-Out would be open to communication.
“I just want to be a good neighbor and work together,” he said.
An opening date has not been set, Associate City Planner Jill Lewis said Tuesday, adding that she believes the company’s goal was to open by April or May next year, but that depends on when it submits plans for a building permit. In-N-Out officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The restaurant is to operate from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The company will employ about 50 people at the location, Lewis said.
E-mail Kristen Marschall at kmarschall@dailynewsgroup.com.