By Sara Beth Williams–
A Use Permit to allow a new quick service restaurant with drive thru along Sunrise Boulevard was unanimously approved by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission Tuesday.
An application proposing the addition of a new 5,000 square foot quick service restaurant with drive thru submitted to city in January, was approved by a six-member Planning Commission on June 10. The proposal calls for the demolition of an existing vacant restaurant space at 5525 Sunrise Blvd., and the construction of a new drive thru restaurant, along with landscaping improvements including multiple shade trees.
The site plan includes a two-lane drivee thru which can hold up to 27 vehicles in queue according to a traffic study conducted by the city.
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5525 Sunrise Blvd. was the former site of Marie Callender’s, and the site has had significant issues since it’s vacancy, according to Sunrise Marketplace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter, who spoke to the Planning Commission on June 11 in support of the new plan.
Carpenter explained that the Sunrise Marketplace and the current property owner of Marie Callender’s have tried to find a sit-down restaurant to fill the space for five years, going through three different brokers. Carpenter said the brokers “were really good brokers” but still no sit-down dining establishment could be found to take over the vacant space.
Senior Planner Alison Bermudez with the Citrus Heights Planning Division emphasized that no user for the site has been identified, and before any construction would begin, the applicant must return with a design permit for review. As well, final landscaping plans will need to be submitted for review. Bermudez said a short wall will be required to parallel the drive thru lanes along Sunrise Boulevard as well as additional landscaping.
A traffic study, which evaluated the worst-case scenario for traffic congestion, indicated that a northbound turn pocket on Sunrise Boulevard which allows vehicles to turn left onto Uplands, might need to be extended depending on the identified user, Bermudez reported. According to the city, the applicant has agreed to pay for a turn pocket extension if needed, and will secure a bond for the cost of the improvements. The city will retain the bond, then use or return the bond depending on the needs required once a user is identified.
Additional arrows and pavement markings were also recommended following the traffic study, to help direct traffic flow in case of overflow from the drive thru lanes, Bermudez said.
A restaurant owner whose restaurant is located near and shares a parking lot with the old Marie Callender’s building is concerned about the proposed demolition and construction of a new drive thru restaurant.
In a letter submitted in March, Hector Alcazar, who owns El Tapatio Family Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, said that construction of a new drive-thru restaurant would result in “significant negative impacts” to his current business.
“The current entrance to our parking area, which is shared by the neighboring property, serves as a vital access point for our customers,” Alcazar said, adding that closing or redesigning the entrance would lead to traffic congestion, and deter customers from visiting his and other nearby restaurants.
Alcazar also expressed concerns about “limited parking” potentially resulting in “frustrated customers” ultimately seeking alternative dining destinations.
A site map for the project shows a drive-thru with two lanes wrapping around the main quick-service restaurant building, then merging into one lane at the pickup window. The site plan also calls for the addition of 58 regular parking spaces, three ADA-compliant parking spaces, and 13 electric-vehicle-capable parking spaces.
Bermudez said she felt the applicant “presented a really good project” with adequate landscaping that will help improve the frontage along Sunrise Boulevard, and that some areas are proposing more shade trees that exceeds the city’s requirements.
Carpenter confirmed with The Sentinel that Steve Patterson and Patterson Properties, who is proposing the demolition of the site, hasn’t talked to or secured any businesses. Bermudez said during the meeting that the applicant plans to shop the approved site plan around for a user.
Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery closed its doors in August 2019.
