Two restaurants — In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s — are expected to open in the commercial sector of the new development planned for the 73-acre site of a former youth prison in Whittier.

But their corporate designs aren’t sitting well with the city’s Design Review Board.

In fact, the board on Thursday sent the plans from Newport Beach-based Frontier Real Estate Investments, which is purchasing nearly 4 acres of former Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility from Costa Mesa-based Brookfield Residential, back for more work.

This is the architectural rendering of an In-N-Out proposed in Whittier on the former Nelles Youth Correctional Facility. (Courtesy the city of Whittier)

This is the architectural rendering of a Raising Cane’s proposed in Whittier on the former Nelles Youth Correctional Facility. (Courtesy the city of Whittier)

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They’re scheduled to return at the board’s Dec. 13 meeting.

“This is far off on what they should be,” Design Review Board member Patrick Craig said of the proposed design for four buildings, two of which which are slated for the new restaurants.

“I want to see iron work details and an arch window,” Craig said. “I love In In-N-Out. I’m not trying to criticize them. This center is supposed to be a highlight, and I’m not getting any of that.”

While the project is already approved, Frontier asked for revision of the architecture schemes, in part because In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s now are expected to be part of the center. That meant the plan had to go to the Design Review Board.

Frontier is now in escrow to purchase 150,000 square feet of the Nelles property, primarily near Whittier Boulevard and Sorensen Avenue, where it will be construct 11 buildings. The rest of the property will include a residential development of 561 for-sale homes and 189 apartments, including 60 targeted for ages 55-plus.

Gavin Reid, vice president of acquisitions for Frontier, said officials from his company have been talking with retailers, grocery stores, fitness centers and restaurants about coming into the new commercial center.

Neither In-N-Out and Raising Cane have signed agreements, but the deals are far enough along to announce, Reid said.

Reid understands the board’s issues: “It’s the first time they’ve seen it,” he said.

Still, neither restaurant will be willing to incorporate all of the suggested changes, Reid said.

“Hopefully, we can compromise and move on,” he said.

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A few old buildings remain at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foundations and a few old buildings at the site of the former Fred C. Nelles Correctional Facility in Whittier, CA, on Thursday, Oct 4, 2018. The 128-year-old facility, which was closed in 2004, is now under construction. The area is slated to become homes and a commercial center. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

In a Monday telephone interview, Design Review Board member Wes Murray said he too hopes for compromise — but from both sides.

For example, the white paint in the In-N-Out building could be shaded with a little gray, so it’s not so penetrating to the eye, he said.

During Thursday’s meeting, board chairman Enrique Diaz said he has seen other In-N-Outs, such as one in Westwood, that veer from the corporate look.

“You’ve been flexible in other communities,” Diaz told Frontier and In-N-Out officials at the meeting.

Josie Auer, regional real estate manager for In-N-Out, said while she is happy to listen to the board’s opinion, the Westwood design is not something that Lynsi Snyder, the restaurant’s chief executive officer, would approve today.

“We’re really sticking to our corporate design,” Auer said.

Rick Carson, senior real estate manager for Raising Cane’s, told the board, changes are planned in their design.

“We’re going to come up with something different,” Carson said.