City OKs Sale of Land to In-N-Out

Before you fork over your money for a Double-Double in Rancho Santa Margarita, In-N-Out Burger is forking over $170,000 to the city for a sliver of land along the 241 toll road.

The decision to accept an offer by In-N-Out was made Wednesday night by the three attending members of the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council.

The remnant parcel is part of the project that will create a long-awaited In-N-Out restaurant at Santa Margarita Parkway and the 241. The land that's being sold to In-N-Out at "fair market value" will be landscaped and used for 26 supplemental parking stalls. The land, located between and the 241, would otherwise go unused by the city.

• Sign up to receive the daily Patch newsletter, or follow RSM Patch on Facebook and Twitter.
• If you're a business owner or manager, claim the free listing for your business here.

It's the second month in a row the city has noted that it's going to be receiving money; it announced previously that it from Mello Roos taxes for infrastructure that was paid for by the city.

In-N-Out hopes to open by the end of the year, according to Kathleen Haton, the city's director of development services.

She said the city has paved the way for a fast track to completion.

"If it has anything to do with city and staff's inspections, absolutely, we are ready to issue grading and building permits for the property," Haton said. "We're just waiting for them to pull the permits and finalize payment of some fees and bonds. Besides that we're ready to go."

The decision to accept the offer was a no-brainer for Mayor Tony Beall and council members Jerry Holloway and Carol Gamble. Councilman Steve Baric was out of town and Jesse Petrilla is serving National Guard duty in Afghanistan.

Said Gamble: "I have a feeling In-N-Out is going to need every one of those extra parking sparces."