Angry homeowners have called on the city to stop construction of a beloved burger joint due to growing concerns about traffic and the environment.
While most Californians would be very happy with the news of an In-N-Out Burger restaurant being built in their neighborhood, an angry homeowners group is trying to block the project.
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The fan-favorite fast food chain plans to demolish an old bank building to replace it with a restaurant and drive-thru service in Woodland Hills, a Los Angeles neighborhood.
However, the West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living has concerns about the location because it is close to housing.
The nonprofit has petitioned a Los Angeles judge to halt the city's approval of the project until the restaurant's potential impacts on traffic, noise and water quality are studied.
The petition was filed on November 25.
The City Council took up recommendations for the project from the Planning and Land Use Management Committee on the site on October 1.
Officials found the construction to be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act requirements, according to MyNewsLA.com.
However, the homeowners group is fighting back by saying the project does not qualify for an exemption.
CEQA was passed by then-Governor Ronald Reagan in 1970 to inform government officials and members of the public of the potential environmental impact of proposed projects.
This law was created to prevent serious damage to the environment.
“The record lacks substantial evidence that the project will not result in significant traffic impacts,” the petition reportedly said.
The petition included studies from In-N-Out locations in other areas across Los Angeles.
The Woodland Hills restaurant will create more traffic than developers expected, the group said.
The city of Los Angeles has not yet responded to the homeowners' petition.
City planners have not yet responded to The US Sun's request for comment.
The record lacks strong evidence that the project will not result in significant traffic impacts.
West Valley Alliance for Perfect Living
While the petitioners are pleading with a judge to temporarily halt construction, other Woodland Hills residents are sharing their expectations for a new restaurant in town.
One person commented on YouTube: “This is a perfect site and I hope they do it.”
“This side of the Woodland Hills is always dead and the businesses there barely get any foot traffic,” another posited.
“This would take pressure off each other inside and outside of Ventura.”
“It's great that they're going to build a house in Woodland Hills, they should, why not,” a third wrote.
Another joked: “It's too late to worry about traffic or noise.”
In-N-Out has more than 400 locations across the United States, with the majority of restaurants located in California.
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