Maple Grove City Council Votes In Favor Of Portillo's Monday

MAPLE GROVE, MN — Just weeks ago, it looked like the idea of having a Portillo's in Maple Grove was doomed after the city council rejected the Chicago-based hot dog restaurant with a vote of 2-3. In addition to loss of parking and motor vehicle congestion, local lawmakers rejected the plans primarily because they believed the restaurant would not bring enough pedestrians to the The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes.

But after public outcry and a petition, local lawmakers changed course. On Monday evening, the Maple Grove City Council voted to bring Portillo's to the city.

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Council Member Kristy Barnett, the only member to vote against the restaurant Monday night, said her primary concern is traffic congestion and safety, the Star Tribune reported:

Barnett said design plans would have to change to allow Portillo’s to build on top of an existing parking lot.
“I have no concerns with Portillo’s as an organization,” Barnett said. “I just don’t think this is the right solution for this one particular shopping mall.”
Barnett added that she prioritized safety and resident’s concerns with traffic over bringing the “destination restaurant.”

Earlier in April, other council members said they too were concerned about adding more traffic, particularly from what could be a busy drive-through.
Wendy Hunter, a representative from Portillo’s, told the City Council on April 3 that they would have several employees directing traffic during peak times — even during the winter.

Read much more at the Star Tribune.

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