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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXII, NO. XII
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
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City Council discusses Chick-fil-A, car wash projects Councilmembers, citizens sift through issues of proposed developments, including traffic, noise, and lighting By MIKE CHALDU michael@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The addition of Atascadero’s first Chick-fil-A fast-food location, along with a new car wash and other retail space, at the intersection of El Camino Real and San Ramon Road just east of Highway 101, was the main topic for the Atascadero City Council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24. In a Public Hearing, the council heard a first reading for zoning changes to be made at the site, which includes the current retail site that includes Home Depot, Staples, and Starbucks on the east side of El Camino Real. Also part of that site is a parking lot on the west side of El Camino Real, next to the Spring Hill Suites hotel. In presenting the item, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore and Associate Planner Erick Gomez described the plan to the council. The Chick-fil-A would be built on a patch of land at 940 El Camino Real, next to the parking lot near the hotel, with a multi-unit retail space the other side of the parking lot. The car wash would be built at 805 El Camino Real, on the other side of the street next to the already established Staples, near the Home Depot. The zoning changes include a Conditional Use Permit for the car wash, as current zoning does not allow the business for that site, as well as exceptions requested for parking and signage. While the councilmembers, for the most part, supported the addition of a Chick-fil-A in town, they brought up issues with traffic, both with potential drive-thru lines at the site, and its effect on traffic going in and out of the business. Councilmember Seth Peek was the first to bring up the city’s In-N-Out Burger location on San Anselmo Road and asked if Chick-fil-A would be mostly drive-thru and have heavy traffic on site. Carlos Arias, representing Chick-fil-A, said they expect more than half doing the drivethru, but noted that, unlike In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A has a two-lane drive-thru that wraps around the back of the building toward the drive-thru, lessening the possibly of cars extending into the parking lot. “That’s been a game-changer for us from an innovation standpoint,” Arias said. “It helps our CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Where’s Waldo? Well, a bunch of them were at the Central Coast Craft Beer Festival on March 21 at the Sunken Gardens. The event featured samples from more than 55 independently owned craft breweries, wineries, cideries, and spirit companies. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN
Central Coast Craft Beer Festival returns to Atascadero More than 1,500 attend annual Sunken Gardens event featuring 55-plus breweries and live music By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Central Coast Craft Beer Festival returned to the Sunken Gardens on Saturday, March 21, bringing together brewers, music lovers, and the community for a day dedicated to independent craft beverages and good times. Now in its second decade, the festival featured samples from more than 55 independently owned craft breweries, wineries, cideries, and spirit companies, offering attendees a wide-ranging taste of the
Central Coast and beyond. Guests gathered in the heart of downtown Atascadero to enjoy pours from both longtime regional favorites and first-time participants, while live performances by The 90’s Babiez, Dubwise Collective, and DJ Manuel Barba kept the atmosphere lively throughout the afternoon. The event, organized by the Central Coast Brewers Guild and En Fuego Events, has grown significantly since its founding in 2013. George Peterson of Central Coast Brewing, who also serves as treasurer of the Guild, recalled the festival’s early days as a collaborative
effort among a smaller group of breweries. The City of Atascadero played a key role in helping the festival take root. At the time, officials were focused on revitalizing the downtown area, and the addition of events like the beer festival helped draw new visitors and energy to the Sunken Gardens. Despite its continued popularity, organizers acknowledged that this year’s attendance dipped slightly compared to previous years. Peterson noted that shifts in consumer habits — including a general CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Maggie Vandergon (sitting front), the founder of the Atascadero Colony Days Parade, is shown with past parade royalty and marshals at an event. Vandergon, a lifelong pioneer in North County, passed away in January at the age of 98. File Photo
North County mourns the loss of lifelong pioneer Maggie Vandergon
Atascadero leader leaves behind a legacy of service and shaping local traditions By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The North County community is mourning the loss of one of its pillars. Margaret “Maggie” Rice Vandergon, a lifelong pioneer of the North County community, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3 at the age of 98. Born June 19, 1927, in Paso Robles, Maggie’s life was deeply rooted in the
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land, the people, and the traditions of the region she loved. Her legacy is one of service, leadership, and devotion to family and community. Raised on a ranch in the Parkfield area east of San Miguel, Maggie was the daughter of Frank and Ella Adams. Her early years were shaped by resilience and determination. During the Great Depression, her family worked hard to make ends meet, and Maggie learned the
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value of perseverance at a young age. She often recalled riding her horse four miles each way to attend a one-room schoolhouse, beginning at just 6 years old. After graduating from Paso Robles High School in 1945, Maggie pursued nursing through the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, studying in San Diego. She went on to specialize in surgical nursing, eventually returning home to work alongside Dr. Fred Ragsdale in
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Paso Robles. Even as she built a professional career, Maggie remained committed to raising her family, including her sons Greg Claassen, Tim Rohrer, and later Douglas Rice. In 1965, Maggie moved to Atascadero, where her impact on the community would become transformative. Drawing inspiration from Paso Robles’ Pioneer Day celebrations, she recognized a CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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