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FURIOUS homeowners have demanded the city pause construction of a beloved burger spot due to growing worries about traffic and the environment.
While most California residents would be overjoyed at the news of an In-N-Out Burger being built in their neighborhood, an outraged homeowners group is trying to block the project.
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The fan-favorite fast food chain planned to demolish an old bank building to replace it with a restaurant and drive-thru in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
However, the West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living has concerns about the site as it’s close to housing.
The nonprofit petitioned a Los Angeles judge to halt the city’s approval of the project until the restaurant’s potential effects on traffic, noise, and water quality are studied.
The petition was brought forward on November 25.
The City Council took 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 the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, according to MyNewsLA.com.
However, the homeowners group is fighting back by saying the project doesn’t qualify for an exemption.
CEQA was passed by then-Governor Ronald Reagan in 1970 to inform government officials and members of the public about the potential environmental impact of proposed projects.
The act was created to prevent significant damage to the environment.
“The record lacks substantial evidence that the project would not result in significant traffic impacts,” the petition reportedly states.
The petition included studies from In-N-Out locations in other areas across Los Angeles.
The group said the Woodland Hills restaurant would create more traffic than developers expected.
The City of Los Angeles has yet to respond to the homeowners’ petition.
City planners have yet to respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
The record lacks substantial evidence that the project would not result in significant traffic impacts.
West Valley Alliance for Optimal Living
While petitioners are begging the judge to pause the construction, other Woodland Hills residents are sharing their anticipation for a new restaurant in town.
“That’s a perfect location I hope they do it,” one commented on YouTube.
“That side of Woodland hills is always dead and the business there barely get any foot traffic,” another theorized.
“This would take the pressure off the other in and out on Ventura.”
“That’s cool that they are going to build an in n out in Woodland Hills and they should do it why not,” a third wrote.
“Way too late to worry about traffic or noise, I’d say,” another joked.
In-N-Out has over 400 locations across the US, with the majority of restaurants located in California.
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