PLACENTIA
City officials have hired an outside law firm to get a second opinion about a $2.5-million lawsuit filed June 15 on behalf of a developer, whose plans for a drive-through restaurant on Chapman Avenue were rejected twice by the council.
Thomas Nixon, an attorney for the Orange-based firm of Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart, is now analyzing the case against the city. He plans to advise the City Council before the start of its meeting Wednesday.
He declined to comment on the lawsuit before his talk with the council.
The lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court, claims the city unconstitutionally denied the development firm BZR Inc. its vested property rights to build a Wienerschnitzel restaurant at Chapman Avenue and Murray Street.
The city Planning Commission supported the developer’s plans for a drive-through twice, but both proposals were rejected by the City Council on appeal.
Neighbors complained about possible traffic and odor from the business.
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