Some Campbell Residents Resisting Plans For New Chik-Fil-A Restaurant

CAMPBELL (KPIX) -- Neighborhood opposition is growing to a proposed Chick-fil-A in Campbell.

The city council is set to vote on plans to construct the new restaurant at the site of an existing Denny's, at 2060 S. Bascom Avenue.

"No matter what happens, it's a logistical nightmare," said Mary Broxon, who lives nearby the location, and is organizing a grassroots effort to stop the plans.

"We need to encourage people to come to our city for a unique experience. It shouldn't be for fast food," said Broxon.

According to the city's own traffic study, a Chick-fil-A would "generate an average of 2,289 net-new daily trips." The neighborhood opponents have been knocking on doors and handing out flyers saying that amounts to "633,300 Cars Added Yearly to Campbell."

Their website, trafficimpact.org, has garnered more than 400 signatures. The group will be conducting outreach at the downtown Campbell farmers market on the weekends leading up to the city council vote.

"A Chick-fil-A is just going to junk up the area, at the end of the day," said Catherine Clock, neighbor and co-organizer.

Campbell city council member and former Mayor Rich Waterman says he is still undecided, but must take a broader view of the area's retail corridor along Bascom Avenue. The recent closures of Office Max, Performance Bicycle, and Dress Barn are concerning, said Waterman.

"Anything we put is going to increase traffic," said Waterman. "There are people who say 'Just say no! Just say no!' But as councilmembers, we have to look at the bigger picture. We don't want just a bunch of empty shops. We'd like a little more vibrancy without the traffic, I mean, that's the big story. Is Chick-fil-A the answer? Is it not the answer? Is it good enough? That's what we're going to try and tackle."

Jessica Fleming lives nearby and has been coming to the Denny's for years. She says to leave it alone.

"Denny's, it's a staple. We are used to this place. It's local, it's good. It stays open 24 hours. So, I mean, it's perfect. I don't see why you want to change anything," said Fleming.

Last year, the city voted down a proposed In-N-Out that would have replaced the empty Elephant Bar at 499 E. Hamilton Avenue. According to a Google search of Campbell, there are roughly 12 drive-ins within city limits.

The Campbell City Council will vote on the proposed Chick-fil-A at 7 p.m. on January 21. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 70 N. 1st Street in Campbell.