MISSION VIEJO : Panel to Consider Plan for Restaurants
After meeting twice with city officials in the past two weeks, the Mission Viejo Co. will bring its plans for a mini “restaurant row” to the Planning Commission on Monday.
The public hearing was continued in December when commissioners expressed concern about the impact of three restaurants planned by the builder in a residential neighborhood.
The proposed restaurant complex would be located on Marguerite Parkway near La Paz Road, a well-traveled intersection that is one of the hubs of Mission Viejo.
In addition to questions about density, Chairwoman Sherri Butterfield also focused on the type of restaurants being sought for the complex. With a housing tract adjacent to the 4.9-acre site, Butterfield said there was a need for family-style dining houses that don’t rely heavily on alcohol sales.
Tenants for the proposed restaurant complex haven’t been confirmed, but company officials said they were looking for firms like the Olive Garden, Mrs. Knott’s and Hamburger Hamlet.
About half a dozen people living next to the proposed complex spoke against the project at a November public hearing. That number grew to 15 at the next commission meeting on Dec. 7.
The residents expressed concerns about safety from added traffic on the already heavily traveled parkway and from more cars passing through their neighborhoods to reach the restaurants.
The planning staff has recommended approval of the project, saying studies show the extra traffic would be at acceptable levels.
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