Sonic's plans up for debate

Sonic's plans up for debate
By Melissa Murphy
Posted: 09/14/2009

Sonic Drive-In, a burger joint, is rolling into Vacaville.

Meanwhile, an iron business is setting up shop in the city.

Planning Commissioners will decide Tuesday whether they should recommend approval of the two businesses to the City Council.

As proposed, Sonic will occupy an existing 2,604 square-foot building with a drive-through lane at 151 Bella Vista Road. Scot Cochran, with Sonic Drive-In, is proposing to install canopies with take-out menu fixtures over 15 parking spaces.

Sonic, according to a staff report, also plans to buy and use 17 spaces from the adjoining Park-and-Ride lot. In return the company will foot the bill for 17 replacement spaces in the adjacent city-owned parcel on Davis Street, which will be added to the city's parking facility.

City staff said this would provide various benefits to the city including construction of the driveway into the Park-and Ride lot. Added tax revenue generated by the sales at Sonic also is a reported plus.

In other action, Valley Iron is proposing to operate a wholesale steel products distribution facility within the old Leggett and Platt warehouse building at 797 Elmira Road. The warehouse is 83,869 square feet and the attached office space is 2,340 square feet.

The business involves the distribution of steel, stainless steel and aluminum products, stored inside the building. A staff report notes that the operation of the facility will not include fabrication or manufacturing.

The site, according to city staff, has been vacant for several years and is in need of significant repair and refurbishment, which has been proposed as part of the project.

"Staff believes that the surrounding neighborhoods would benefit from the aesthetic improvement," the report said.

The Vacaville Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 650 Merchant St.