San Gabriel Valley : No Welcome Mat for Jack
Jack’s back, but he is not welcome in South Pasadena, say some residents.
Neighbors of a proposed site for a new Jack-in-the-Box restaurant say the fast-food joint is inconsistent with a city known for its historic craftsman homes and tree-lined avenues.
The controversy over the 60-seat eatery planned for the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and State Street escalated Monday when the company won the approval of the city Planning Commission.
Preservationist Mary Ann Parada said she fears the restaurant could be a harbinger, setting an ugly precedent for similar outlets to make their way to a quiet city.
Foodmaker Inc., Jack in the Box’s parent company, promised commissioners it will build a unique “craftsman-style” restaurant to blend in with the community, said David Koons, city assistant planner.
Nonetheless, preservationists vowed they would appeal to the City Council. Among their supporters is Planning Commissioner William Cross, who dissented Monday, arguing that the eatery is planned for the city’s busiest intersection.
And it might not stop there. The city went all the way to the state Court of Appeal a few years ago to stop a proposed Burger King.
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