Planning commission approves Chick-fil‑A at Palm Square despite 1% landscaping shortfall
June 15, 2026 | Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California
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The Lompoc Planning Commission on June 10 approved a development plan and conditional use permit for a new Chick‑fil‑A at 1025 North Eighth Street in the Palm Square Shopping Center.
Logan McGowan, representing the developer and project team, thanked staff for their work and said the team is "excited to be here tonight" and satisfied they can meet the conditions of approval. Alan Gottlieb of Real Estate Affiliates, the shopping center owner, told commissioners he has worked with Chick‑fil‑A since March 2025 and said the restaurant'plus planned additions such as a Spencer's grocery tenant are encouraging other tenants to extend leases.
Staff described the proposed 4,847-square-foot building on an approximately 2.52-acre site and said the project meets parking, drive-through stacking and bicycle requirements. Staff noted the landscaping calculation results in 14% coverage while the municipal code calls for 15%, and explained the commission has discretion under the preliminary development plan rules to find the proposal meets the intent of the code.
The project elevations are contemporary with brick veneer and neutral tones; the drive-through lane will be oriented toward the interior of the shopping center. Staff said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15332 (Class 32, infill development) and recommended adoption of resolution 1030-226 approving DR 2026-0001 and CUP 2026-0001.
A commissioner asked whether the landscaping calculation was based on box size (planting area) or canopy size; staff said landscaping is calculated by square footage of the planting area at the root. The applicant team and owner confirmed they are satisfied with the draft conditions presented at Development Review Board. The commission moved, seconded and passed a motion adopting resolution 1030-226 approving the Chick‑fil‑A permits; the transcript does not record a detailed roll-call tally.
The next steps are finalizing conditions and obtaining building permits consistent with the approved plan.
Logan McGowan, representing the developer and project team, thanked staff for their work and said the team is "excited to be here tonight" and satisfied they can meet the conditions of approval. Alan Gottlieb of Real Estate Affiliates, the shopping center owner, told commissioners he has worked with Chick‑fil‑A since March 2025 and said the restaurant'plus planned additions such as a Spencer's grocery tenant are encouraging other tenants to extend leases.
Staff described the proposed 4,847-square-foot building on an approximately 2.52-acre site and said the project meets parking, drive-through stacking and bicycle requirements. Staff noted the landscaping calculation results in 14% coverage while the municipal code calls for 15%, and explained the commission has discretion under the preliminary development plan rules to find the proposal meets the intent of the code.
The project elevations are contemporary with brick veneer and neutral tones; the drive-through lane will be oriented toward the interior of the shopping center. Staff said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15332 (Class 32, infill development) and recommended adoption of resolution 1030-226 approving DR 2026-0001 and CUP 2026-0001.
A commissioner asked whether the landscaping calculation was based on box size (planting area) or canopy size; staff said landscaping is calculated by square footage of the planting area at the root. The applicant team and owner confirmed they are satisfied with the draft conditions presented at Development Review Board. The commission moved, seconded and passed a motion adopting resolution 1030-226 approving the Chick‑fil‑A permits; the transcript does not record a detailed roll-call tally.
The next steps are finalizing conditions and obtaining building permits consistent with the approved plan.
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