Councilmember Nithya Raman Announces Community-Based Compromise On Proposed Sherman Oaks Chick-Fil-A

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2022

LOS ANGELES —  Today, Councilmember Raman issued the following statement regarding the proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant at 5043 Van Nuys Boulevard:

I am incredibly happy to see and support the compromise reached between community members and the applicant for the proposed Chick-fil-A location in Sherman Oaks. The beautifully designed and historically restored sit-down restaurant will not include a drive-through component and is the result of months of collaboration between my staff, Sherman Oaks constituents, Chick-fil-A representatives, and city departments to address community concerns and priorities. The new blueprint balances the needs of the neighborhood with Chick-fil-A’s operational needs. 

The new build-out includes an enhanced public realm, pedestrian safety elements, multiple ingress/egress options, drought tolerant landscaping, and street activation along a major commercial corridor in the South Valley – one that will soon be even better served by transit, jobs, and housing investments. Additionally, Chick-fil-A has committed to restoring this Historic-Cultural Monument site to its original architectural prominence in the Googie style thanks to the tireless advocacy and efforts of the Los Angeles Conservancy and nationally recognized historic experts. 

I especially want to commend the engagement from so many local residents, and from groups like the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (SONC PLUM) and the Board of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association (SOHA) who thoroughly reviewed the proposal request, held community forums, and engaged in meaningful conversations that led to this result. I appreciate receiving motions from both SONC PLUM and SOHA unanimously recommending support for exactly this outcome: a sit-down Chick-fil-A restaurant without the drive-through component. I am hopeful that this outcome will allow us to move forward quickly to reactivate and restore a site that has been left vacant for far too long. 

Adrian Scott Fine, Senior Director of Advocacy for the Los Angeles Conservancy, shared that, “the preservation and rehabilitation of Stanley Burke’s is a great example and model for how to give new life to a beloved neighborhood landmark. Chick-fil-A’s reinvestment not only reactivates a significant Googie style building, it demonstrates how L.A. can successfully reinvest in our existing assets by working together and finding win-win solutions. The Los Angeles Conservancy appreciates the facilitation and leadership from Councilmember Raman and commends all who worked diligently to have this notable project move forward.” 

“We’re grateful for the spirit of collaboration among city leadership and community partners that make this unique location possible,” said Carlos Arias, principal development lead for Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Chick-fil-A always strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve. At our new location in Sherman Oaks, we can’t wait to share our delicious food prepared with high-quality ingredients and deliver the remarkable service that makes Chick-fil-A different from any other restaurant.”

###