In-N-Out clears another hurdle in Palm Springs, but design still isn't final

Palm Springs planning commissioners gave the planned In-N-Out restaurant a thumbs up Monday night, voting 5-0 to approve revised design conditions for the project. However, commissioners aren't ready to call it done. They've asked for one more review before giving the restaurant final architectural approval.

The restaurant would sit at 1801 East Palm Canyon Drive in Smoke Tree Village, replacing a Bank of America building that's sat vacant since 2024. This will be In-N-Out's sixth trip before the committee.

Commissioners still aren't sold on how the building looks from the outside. Members said the design, which blends Mid-Century and Art Deco styles, doesn't match the look Palm Springs is known for. The city has already asked In-N-Out to square off the building's corners, remove a keystone feature above the entrance, and simplify a bulky trash enclosure so it doesn't stick out.

Landscaping came up too. Commissioners are worried about headlights from cars lined up at the drive-thru shining onto nearby homes at night, and they want thicker landscaping to block that glare for residents living close by. The city is also pushing for larger, denser shade trees in the parking lot after finding the current landscaping plan didn't provide enough shade.

In-N-Out's development manager told the committee the company is willing to make the additional changes.

The project will come back before the committee for a sixth review before getting final sign-off on its design.