PASS: In-N-Out Is a Go on Fillmore Street in Twin Falls

In-N-Out's Appeal Approved by Twin Falls City Council

At the Twin Falls City Council meeting tonight, In-N-Out Burger successfully appealed a decision made by the Twin Falls Planning and Zoning Commission. The City Council reversed the commission’s denial of a special use permit, which allows In-N-Out to proceed with plans for a drive-thru restaurant at 1965 Blue Lakes Blvd., the current site of Outback Steakhouse. This decision marks a significant step forward for the California-based fast-food chain as it seeks to expand its presence in Idaho. The special use permit motion was approved 5 to 1, with 1 abstaining.

Initial Denial and Resident Concerns

The appeal follows the Planning and Zoning Commission's original decision in June 2024 to deny the permit, primarily due to concerns over traffic congestion. Local residents voiced apprehension about the impact the new restaurant could have on the already problematic roundabout near the Twin Falls Visitor Center. The potential for increased traffic due to the restaurant's drive-thru was a central issue for those opposed to the project.

In response, In-N-Out’s development team acknowledged the concerns but argued that the fears were exaggerated. They pointed out that their Meridian, Idaho, location, which opened in late 2023, faced similar concerns but successfully managed traffic without disrupting nearby public roads.

Some of the traffic plans presented by In-N-Out may not see the light of day, but were presented to demonstrate the the chain would be capable of handling even an extreme influx of traffic to the location.

Traffic and Access Management

One of the key points in In-N-Out’s appeal was the reassurance that access to the new location would not come directly from Blue Lakes Blvd., but instead from Nielsen Point, an internal road within the shopping center. This plan, according to the company, should alleviate the fears of congestion directly affecting the roundabout or Blue Lakes Blvd., which sees between 32,500 to 40,000 vehicle trips daily.

In-N-Out cited traffic data from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) to support their claim. The average daily trips for a restaurant of their size with a drive-thru is estimated at 1,804 trips, compared to the current traffic generated by Outback Steakhouse at 663 trips. This means an additional 1,141 trips per day, which the company argued would represent a relatively minor increase in the overall traffic flow on Blue Lakes Blvd.

Drive-Thru Concerns and Conditions

Another concern raised by residents was the potential for long drive-thru lines impacting traffic. In-N-Out addressed this by highlighting their detailed queuing plans. They assured the council that they would work with the mall’s owners to ensure there is adequate space for cars to line up without causing backups on public roads, especially during peak times, such as the grand opening phase.

The City Council also included a condition in the approval requiring In-N-Out to manage any traffic directly attributable to their business. This condition, accepted by the restaurant, was designed to mitigate the potential impact on local traffic, particularly during the store’s busiest periods.

Moving Forward with Plans

With the approval secured, In-N-Out is expected to begin construction soon at the 1965 Blue Lakes Blvd. location, which will replace the existing Outback Steakhouse.

This decision is seen as a win for In-N-Out Burger, which continues to expand across Idaho and the broader region. Twin Falls residents will be watching closely to see how the company manages traffic and integrates into the Twin Falls community in the coming months.