WALNUT CREEK — Chick-fil-A, a fast-food chain that ruffled some feathers locally, will officially open its doors to the public Thursday in Walnut Creek despite concerns over traffic and community safety.
The 5,363-square-foot building at 2290 Oak Grove Rd. in the Citrus Marketplace Shopping Center will offer dine-in and carry-out services. There is no drive-thru window.
The restaurant is locally owned and operated by San Luis Obispo native Kaylee Thornton, who worked at Chick-fil-A as a college student at the University of Oklahoma.
“From my early days as a team member to now opening a restaurant in my home state, this journey has been incredibly rewarding,” said Thornton in a statement. “I’m thrilled to serve the Walnut Creek community and build a space where hospitality and heart come first.”
Approvals for the Chick-fil-A at the shopping center didn’t come without controversy. The restaurant first filed its application to the city in 2023.
On March 14, 2024, the Walnut Creek Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the infill project.
However, there was some pushback from residents, who argued that the restaurant would increase traffic congestion.
An appeal was filed shortly after the Planning Commission’s decision, noting that the restaurant would be “detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the community.”
On May 21, 2024, the Walnut Creek City Council heard the appeal.
Some residents argued that the restaurant would increase vehicular traffic, bring down property values and diminish the appeal of a quiet neighborhood.
Some also felt the absence of a drive-thru at the location would cause delivery services to act as a “proxy drive-thru,” as they would likely increase traffic to the shopping center, since they often pick up only one order at a time, according to a letter sent by residents.
There were also concerns about the smell from the restaurant, noting that it would “linger throughout the entire neighborhood” because of the amount of cooking there compared to others.
The City Council denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s decision, but added three conditions to the project.
The first was that the city engineer may require the applicant to prepare a traffic or parking analysis and recommendation to address impacts, should there be “a reasonable determination” that the restaurant is causing traffic impacts to adjacent streets, traffic access, or parking issues within Citrus Marketplace.
The other conditions included the applicant providing a “fair share contribution” toward traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Road and Oak Grove Road, “to modify the westbound right turn slip lane,” and installing and maintaining a good working air treatment, filtration, and ventilation system to “prevent frying and cooking smells from existing outside the restaurant.”
Rica Zaharia, owner of European Delights, voiced support for the Chick-fil-A restaurant and welcomed her new neighbor.
Zaharia, who opened her bakery at Citrus Marketplace more than three years ago, said she has been trying to keep her business afloat. However, doing so has been challenging due to a lack of foot traffic and the rising cost of ingredients for producing her specialty croissants and other pastries, she said.
Zaharia said she and her brother put in 14 hours or more each day, as they are unable to hire additional help.
“I am happy they are here … to see more activity in our plaza. … I think everybody here has been waiting for more foot traffic in the area,” Zaharia told this news organization.
Considering it a “win,” Zaharia said the opening of Chick-fil-A will benefit all tenants in the shopping center.
“I care for my neighbors,” she said. “I feel sorry for the people who are fighting against, probably they don’t have a business and don’t know how hard it is to survive, pay salaries, rent, cost of ingredients, and have little left for your pockets.”
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