SANTEE, Calif. (KGTV) – One of San Diego County’s last drive-in movie theaters could be on the verge of being sold.
The Santee Drive-In, located on 10990 Woodside Ave. North, is in escrow to a Los Angeles-based developer, according to a City of Santee official.
Santee Principal Planner Michael Coyne told East County Magazine that North Palisades Partners is planning to build an industrial building at the site of the drive-in.
ABC 10News reached out to Coyne for further clarity, and he confirmed the LA firm was in escrow to purchase the drive-in property.
Coyne pointed out, “The future tenant has not been identified but would be involved in manufacturing, research and development, distribution and related office uses. A historic assessment and environmental analysis of the site are still underway. The project will need to go before the City Council for approval, which would be approximately six months from now. Escrow would not close until the project has been entitled.”
Owners of the Santee Drive-In posted a message on its website disputing a reported sale, saying the establishment “HAS NOT BEEN SOLD, BUSINESS AS USUAL.”
ABC 10News contacted the drive-in owners for additional comment, but they did not offer a response as of Monday evening.
The only other drive-in theater in the county is the South Bay Drive-In just outside of Imperial Beach.
The Santee Drive-In location also hosts the Santee Swap Meet on weekends.
