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Thursday, May 23, 2013
McDonald’s appeals city’s denial of drive-thru
by deb belt, published on April 24, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Storyline: Oak Park Development
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McDonald’s USA on Monday appealed Sacramento Planning Commission’s decision to deny a drive-through restaurant on the corner of Stockton Boulevard and 2nd Avenue in the city’s Oak Park neighborhood.
The action sends the issue to City Council for a final vote and extends a nearly two-year debate about the project and its placement in an urban corridor adjacent to medical offices, hospitals and an obesity clinic on Stockton Boulevard and single-family homes on 2nd Avenue.
Senior Planner Lindsey Alagozian said city staff is reviewing the appeal, which presents McDonald’s arguments against the city’s decision. McDonald’s representatives did not respond to questions about the appeal.
The Planning Commission April 12 voted six-to-one to deny the special permit required to move forward with the drive-through. Area Construction Manager Margaret Trujillo said 60 percent of McDonald’s business is drive-through and that the restaurant could not operate without it.
In rejecting McDonald’s bid, the commission cited the city’s General Plan, which calls for urban corridors to have multistory and more-intense uses at major intersections with moderate lot coverage and lower-intensity uses adjacent to neighborhoods. The McDonald’s design uses about 10 percent of the lot with the drive-through being the “most prominent” feature.
City planning staff also clarified that “the location of the drive-through lane would directly impede pedestrian movement to and from the adjacent city sidewalks along Stockton Boulevard and 2nd Avenue.”
Members of Healthy Development for Oak Park submitted signatures of more than 1,700 residents opposing the project. Opponents address land use, bike and pedestrian safety, traffic, air quality, impact on nearby homes and perpetuation of an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle.
“Healthy Development for Oak Park is grateful to the Sacramento planning staff for doing such a thorough evaluation of this project and to the Planning Commission for respecting the concerns of the community,” said Charlene Hauser, a public health doctor who lives near the disputed site and works at UC Davis Medical Center. “To waste a lot with such great land-use potential on a drive-through restaurant would only benefit the bottom line of the landowner and franchisee, at the expense of the Oak Park community and UC-Davis patients.”
Proponents say the drive-through will bring a stable, locally owned franchise to a vacant corner and add between 55-75 jobs to the local economy as well as shade trees, lighting and an outdoor dining area.
“McDonald’s is proud of our proposed, neighborhood-friendly design and is confident the project is both aesthetically pleasing and fully consistent with the City of Sacramento’s General Plan and applicable City Code provisions,” wrote Trujillo in a letter to the Planning Commission.
Alagozian said both the Planning Commission and City Council can vote only on the issue of the special permit, but acknowledged that the public brings up a number of “side issues.”
During the recent Planning Commission hearing, local physicians urged the commission to consider the impact a drive-through fast-food business can have on lifestyle, including food choices, walkability of city streets and air quality.
“We want the healthy choice to be the easy choice, and a drive through business makes that choice very difficult,” said Hauser. “Although health is not traditionally discussed in technical planning, it is becoming more widely recognized as an important effect of city design as health impact assessments and health in all policies become more widespread.”
Commissioner Michelle Smira cast the sole vote in support of the drive-through and said healthy choices are about education and warned against “attacks directed against McDonald’s.” She added that it’s not the commission’s job to dictate people’s choices.
The decision is now up to City Council, which can over-rule the Planning Commission.
“City Council will hear from staff, the applicant (McDonald’s) and the public,” said Alagozian. “The council will review the issue ‘de novo’ and vote on this item. Their decision will be final.”
The City Council hearing is expected to be in four to six weeks according to Alagozian.
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This isn't Oak Park's cup of tea, and that is important.
Local economic development is encouraged. See my post below giving detail of current development. However, there are multiple criteria that any proposed development must meet to gain City approval. City Staff has advised the Planning Commission that this proposal doesn't meet several criteria, and on that basis recommended to the Planning Commission that it should be rejected. Meeting some of the criteria simply isn't satisfactory.
And with numerous drive-through restaurants within just minutes of this location, there is adequate local choice for those who need the convenience of this kind of service.
Move on McDonalds: Your application was denied on more than reasonable grounds by a resounding majority of the Commission, following a thorough and fair assessment by City Staff.
Come down to Oak Park, I will be more than happy to give you a guided tour. Saturdays are best as that is farmers market day. You may want to come to the Jubilee Farm Pig Roast on May 12th...
Are you coming to OP on May 12th? There is a vegetarian option and Chicken if Pork isn't your thing? It Features Chef Brad Cecchi and The Grange Restaurant....Doughbot Donuts too...I will comp your ticket!
Mentioning the words "Oak Park" in the Sacramento Press is like chumming for sharks with mammal blood.
Then you claim that "A restaurant like that takes business from other restaurants" (presumably in Oak Park). Make up your small minds......Speaking of basic economics, the idea that "production creates its own demand" (Say's Law), something that has happened time and time again throughout history, is apparently lost on you too.
Meanwhile, the franchisee and the McDonald's corporation clearly think the demand is there, or else they wouldn't be doing this, and no one else is waiting in the wings to infill develop the vacant lot.
If the site were to be used in a manner that did reflect local personal preference, so that more Oak Park dollars are being spent in Oak Park, then the proposal would gain significant support.
As for the Pig Roast on the 12th, not only does it meet needs of local preference, but it will also attract consumers in from other locations, who are also likely to spend money at the farmers market. All of these help define Oak Park as a consumer destination. Where should I post your ticket?
On a very local level, it is pretty clear that locally owned independent restaurants, that Are not required to repatriate profits, and that also buy locally produced ingredients, directly and positively impact the local economy.
OP farmers market offers a two for one pricing for EBTs, providing an excellent opportunity for fresh and organic food.
The site isn't suited for, and hasn't been approved for a QS restaurant.
There is an existing McDonalds and several other QS restaurants on Broadway and Stockton, all within a few minutes drive from the site in question.
They throw those buildings up quickly. I am pretty sure it will be open soon enough.
As for investing in QS restaurants, my preference is Yum Brands (YUM) over MCD.
Now, has anyone seen our lost kitten? It seems he doesn't have a taste for pork...did I tell him about the chicken? There is vegetarian option too.