In-N-Out Returns to Rancho Mirage City Council

Rancho Mirage City Council Expected to Approve Final Environmental Impact Report for In-N-Out

RANCHO MIRAGE — Vocal opponents to In-N-Out Burger in the Rancho Las Palmas Shopping Center are gearing up to make their voices heard Thursday when the Rancho Mirage City Council will consider approving the final environmental impact report for the project,

Opponents have long argued that fast-food restaurant restaurant would impact the privacy, quality of life and property value of the adjacent neighborhood.

Proponents maintain the popular burger franchise, which other Coachella Valley communities have tried to lure, will bring jobs and sales tax revenue to the city. Communities typically roll out the welcome mat to king of the “Double-Double” because of the way it treats its employees. In-N-Out is one of the few fast food chains in the United States to pay its employees more than state and federally mandated minimum wage guidelines – starting at $13 per hour, as of January 2017.

There are currently three In-N-Out Burger restaurants in the Coachella Valley – Indio, La Quinta and Thousand Palms.

The project consists of an approximately 3,885-square-foot building with indoor seating for 74 guests and outdoor seating for 82 guests. A 1,762-square-foot patio cover will be connected to the restaurant building at its southwest corner to provide shade for outdoor dining. The building will have two customer entrances: one along the north side of the building and one along the east side of the building.

Associated development includes on-site vehicle parking, electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle parking, a drive-through, and an approximately 442-square-foot roof-covered trash and recycling
enclosure, according to Majna Dukie, Planning Manager.

The “Project Site” is located on the northeast corner of Highway 111 and Magnesia Falls Drive within the existing Rancho Las Palmas Shopping Center (“Shopping Center”). The Project Site consists of approximately 1.52 acres of vacant land within the existing Shopping Center located on the northeast corner of Highway 111 and Magnesia Falls Drive (42-650 Bob Hope Drive). The Shopping Center consists of approximately 15 acres of land bounded on the north by Bob Hope Drive, on the west by Highway 111, on the south by Magnesia Falls Drive, and the east by Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa and Rancho Las Palmas Country Club which includes a 27 hole golf course and a multitude of multifamily residential units.

The Planning Commission considered the proposed project at a public hearing on Dec. 10, 2020. The Commission unanimously approved the Environmental Impact Report,