ENCINO : Panel OKs Exception for Burger King

Developers were handed a victory Thursday--and homeowners a defeat--when the Los Angeles Planning Commission approved a contested Burger King drive-through restaurant proposed for the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Gloria Avenue in Encino.

The commission voted 3 to 1 to grant the restaurant an exception to the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan, which governs development along the 17-mile strip.

Tom Rath, a planning associate, said developers’ willingness to landscape around the restaurant and provide a play area for children may have swayed the commission’s decision. The commission’s impression, Rath said, “is that they were acting in good faith. And three out of four felt they wanted to meet them halfway.”

Developers Ralph and Larry Cimmarusti, who were not available for comment, said earlier that the restaurant will mean a $2-million investment in the community that will create an estimated 60 jobs. The restaurant’s drive-through service requires a special permit because of its proposed location in one of five neighborhoods that carry development restrictions to protect pedestrian activity.

Gerald A. Silver of Homeowners of Encino criticized the action. “They’re just tearing the Specific Plan to pieces.”

“We’re going to take this one to the mat,” he said.