TWIN FALLS, ID — In-N-Out Burger has been denied the permit needed to move forward with the new location recently proposed in Twin Falls.
The new location was proposed in early June and would have replaced Outback Steakhouse near the Fillmore Street roundabout. The pemit, however, was denied on Tuesday following lengthy discussion at the city's Planning and Zoning meeting.
RELATED: In-N-Out Burger proposes Twin Falls location.
Residents expressed concerns that the new restaurant could cause lines to build up that could clog the roundabout and spill onto the nearby Highway 93.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
In N Out Burger's conquest of Idaho hit a speedbump when the Twin Falls planning and zoning commission denied their permit request on Tuesday.
After opening its first Idaho location in meridian last December, in n out burger set its sights set on Twin Falls
Many people in the area are excited for the fast food chain to arrive
"I love In N Out Burger, I go there any time I go to Las Vegas or Utah, or anywhere,” Jeremy Wharton said during a public hearing Tuesday night.
But there were concerns with the location.
"I'd love to see them here,” Wharton said, “I don't know if this is the right location for them."
The spot the picked for their Magic Valley restaurant, 1965 Blue Lakes Blvd, would be one of the first things people would see after crossing the Perrine Bridge into Twin Falls.
Currently the location is an Outback Steakhouse, and In N Out proposed a restaurant with parking for 46 vehicles, and a drive through that could stack 29 vehicles. Twin falls only requires drive throughs be able to stack 5 vehicles.
At a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on Tuesday night, In N Out representative Todd Smith said the company had a lot of experience managing higher-than-normal traffic flows.
"In N Out has vast experience with busy high-volume stores and cues above industry norms,” Smitth said. “We have highly trained capable staff to handle the challenges that some stores can present."
But at the hearing, members of the public expressed concern for the location
"Even during non-peak pm hours, we've already got a problem there,” Twin Falls resident Russell Robinson said. “I don't have any confidence that it's going to get any better, it's only going to get worse"
The planning and zoning commission agreed, citing concerns that the location would create traffic hazards on a public roadway, and the special use permit for a drive through and extended hours was denied by a vote of 5 to 2.
