Center Gets Preliminary OK : Burbank: Neighbors oppose the nine-acre project on the site of the former Pickwick Drive-In, contending it will increase traffic and noise.

Despite emotional objections from dozens of residents, the Burbank City Council gave tentative approval late Tuesday to the development of an upscale shopping center on the site of the closed Pickwick Drive-In theater.

Following a hearing that lasted almost five hours, the council voted 3 to 2 to approve the nine-acre project by Pacific Theatres, which will be located at the southeast corner of Shelton Street and Alameda Avenue. The development will be anchored by a 54,800-square-foot Vons Pavilion store and 43,350 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Many residents of the adjacent community, known as the Rancho District, complained that the shopping center would result in increased traffic and noise. Most of the residents keep horses on their property.

In voting for the project, the council imposed several conditions, including the elimination of fast-food restaurants and a requirement that the theater company acquire and improve an equestrian trail adjacent to the property.

The council members also indicated that they wanted a master plan drawn up for the surrounding commercial area before future development is permitted.

Pacific Theatres officials said they had already revised the project several times in order to ease the concerns of residents, reducing the size of the development by approximately 800 square feet. The design of the restaurant was also changed from “post-modern” to “Western-style” in order to better fit in with the appearance and lifestyle of the Rancho area.

“We have the support of 90% of the area,” said Terry Dickens, director of development for Pacific Theaters. “This represents good planning, and Burbank deserves a new market.”

Planning officials agreed that the project would fill a need in Burbank for “an upscale grocery as well as a variety of other retail opportunities,” according to a city planning report.

Nonetheless, several residents who addressed the council Tuesday said they opposed the project. They said horses would be frightened by the increased traffic, and the quality of life damaged.

Resident Peter Simic said, “We will boycott Vons and any member of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce who supports this mindless and cancerous project.”