Palm Springs, CA

The Palm Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal for a new In-N-Out Burger restaurant Tuesday night, attaching several conditions that must be met before the project can move forward. The 7-0 vote followed nearly three hours of discussion focused on traffic safety, architectural compatibility, and concerns raised by nearby residents.

The proposed 3,886-square-foot restaurant is planned for the former Bank of America site at 1801 East Palm Canyon Drive, within the Smoke Tree Village shopping center. While some residents expressed concern about potential traffic impacts, city staff, engineers, and commissioners agreed that existing traffic studies and additional analysis conducted by the applicant were sufficient to approve the project.

However, the commission imposed several conditions to address design and environmental considerations. These include architectural modifications to better integrate the restaurant into its surroundings, as well as improved landscaping standards. Specifically, commissioners requested the use of 36-inch box trees in place of smaller specimens and wider tree wells to promote long-term survival in Palm Springs’ desert climate.

Next steps for the project include architectural review and compliance with the city’s conditions before construction can begin.