Clarifying a property owner's right and the role of the planning group

It is often difficult when a town loses a long time business. Such is the case with the Happy Jug Liquor store, the Smog Bros., and the Main Place Bar. Their current locations will be torn down and replaced by a new McDonald’s. This change will be unpleasing to many.

As with many other Fallbrook businesses, these owners have helped support many community activities. For this we are very grateful.

However, an important fact we wish to underscore is that these businesses do not own the property. They rent on a month-to-month basis. It was the property owner’s decision to discontinue renting to them and sign a long-term lease with McDonald’s.

As members of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group, we are not unsympathetic to the owners of these businesses. We listened to their concerns. But essentially, there was nothing that we could do. A property owner has the right to rent or lease or not rent or lease to whomever they choose.

Regardless of how we personally feel about the new McDonald’s, our job is to review a project for compliance with County requirements. McDonald’s fulfilled all of the County’s requirements.

We hope that these businesses will be able to relocate to a new location and continue to do business and serve the community as they have in the past. We also hope that the new plans for this intersection will serve the entire community.

Eileen Delaney, Chair

Design Review Committee

Fallbrook Community Planning Group

Anne Burdick, Chair

Circulation Committee

Fallbrook Community Planning Group