Planning commission approves Chick‑fil‑A at San Fernando entrance with safety and design conditions

The San Fernando Planning and Preservation Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit, a site plan review and a CEQA Class 32 categorical exemption for a proposed 4,892‑square‑foot Chick‑fil‑A at 603 San Fernando Road.

Associate Planner Marina Cristalleva presented the project to commissioners, saying, "The project is to approve the conditional use permit and site plan review for property at 603 San Fernando Road for a proposed drive through Chick‑fil‑A restaurant and the continued use of the existing legal nonconforming freestanding pole sign." Staff told the commission the site now houses a 1‑story, approximately 17,500‑square‑foot commercial building used by Ganas Auto Dealership that would be demolished for the new restaurant. The plan calls for 74 parking stalls, three EV‑capable stalls, six bicycle stalls and about 36 new trees, and shows the restaurant operating between 5:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. with a two‑lane drive‑through.

Commissioners spent substantial time on the existing 35‑foot freestanding pole sign, which is nonconforming under the San Fernando Corridor Specific Plan (SP‑5). Staff said new pole signs are not permitted under SP‑5 because the plan favors a more pedestrian‑oriented urban realm and monument signs embedded in landscaping are preferred; however, the code allows continuation of a preexisting freestanding sign with a conditional use permit. Commissioners asked whether the commission could require upkeep; staff and the applicant agreed a maintenance condition could be added. Commissioner Sanchez also proposed encouraging pollinator‑friendly plants in the required landscape plan; staff said plant selection must still meet state water‑efficiency requirements but that pollinator‑friendly lists could be required as a condition.

Traffic and pedestrian safety were central concerns. Commissioner Moore and others asked whether a nearby Metro stop and crosswalks provide safe access for employees and schoolchildren. City engineering consultant Emilio Murgag told the commission that a pedestrian signal (e.g., HAWK) was not currently warranted per their warrants, but staff and the applicant agreed to study crosswalk enhancements now with Public Works and the applicant's traffic engineer rather than defer that work until after opening. Applicant representative Troy Schmidt said the project includes a queuing analysis and on‑site design elements to accommodate peak surges; he said staff will monitor queuing and deploy cones and a parking management plan if the queue reaches the 80th percentile.

Commissioners debated architectural style, with several asking whether the design could be modified to reflect San Fernando's mission‑style character. The applicant said the shown elevation is the result of several iterations with staff and that only limited facade treatments would be possible without significant operational impacts. Commissioners asked the applicant to work with staff on east‑facing facade details visible from the city entry and to consider a more harmonious finish for the freestanding sign face.

After deliberation the commission approved the project with added conditions that include: requiring the applicant to work with engineering staff on potential crosswalk enhancements (funded by the applicant if warranted), a condition requiring maintenance of the refaced pole sign, collaboration with staff on east‑facing facade treatments to add San Fernando‑appropriate accents, and consideration of relocating the American flag to a more prominent position near the sign. The motion passed by roll call vote 5–2–0.

The commission's approval is a local land‑use action recommending issuance of the conditional use permits and site plan review and does not itself authorize building permits. The project will proceed to building‑permit review and final landscape plan submittal, where compliance with state water‑efficiency and stormwater requirements will be enforced.