Plans for Chick-fil-A restaurant submitted to the city; residents already voicing opposition to the project

Palm Springs could be the home of a new Chick-fil-A restaurant if everything goes according to the nationwide chain’s plans. But it most likely won’t be without controversy.

Driving the news: The restaurant chain submitted a formal application to the city on Jan. 9 of this year, and the project received more attention after a sign went up recently near the proposed future location off Ramon Road.

Dive deeper: The plan for the project is to demolish the current building that formerly housed California Nurses Educational Institute in The Springs shopping center to make way for a building just under 6,000 square-feet with indoor and outdoor dining and a three-lane drive-thru. 

But wait: The project is currently on hold, according to the city, while the new tenant and the owner of the shopping center finalize lease terms. 

What to watch for: Because the project is on hold, it is not scheduled for a hearing before any city departments. But when the time comes there will be a public hearing before the Planning Commission for the conditional use and major development permit applications, followed by a review by the Architectural Review Committee for the major architectural review application.

Why it matters: Chick-fil-A’s reputation is stained by past donations the company made to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, making it a tough sell in progressive Palm Springs.

What they’re saying: Reactions are already pouring in online by the residents who have seen a sign stating the project was under consideration. One member of a neighborhood group on Facebook chimed in saying, “I won’t support any bigoted establishment!” Another added, “Traffic here is terrible already not to mention their beliefs don’t coincide with those residing in Palm Springs.”

Zoom out: Aside from the company’s reputation for aligning with anti-LGBTQ organizations, others are also worried about traffic, which has been an issue in other communities.

• Already this year, another major chain — Starbucks — faced backlash after it proposed a drive-thru only location in the northern end of the city. That project was eventually rejected by the Palm Springs City Council, which declared the proposal would fly in the face of efforts at creating a more sustainable city.

Looking ahead: If it’s built, the restaurant would be only the second Chick-fil-A in the Coachella Valley. The first one is along Dinah Shore Drive in Palm Desert.

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