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 Lindse... debbelt6 Julian Slee comment-67325 2012-05-02T23:53:07Z 2012-05-02T23:53:07Z emaher: Thanks for your input. What is upsetting to me, is the bully-behaviour of McDonalds: They got a very fair ruling, with only one vote dissenting, but their size, power and hubris encourages them to have another swing at it. Please turn up on June 19th to council to show that you support our community. 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. Julian Slee 2012-05-02T23:53:07Z Julian Slee comment-67324 2012-05-02T23:50:05Z 2012-05-02T23:50:05Z MsPhillips: I have been assured by Jay that the F&E is merely delayed, and construction will commence soon. The design changes you talk about were actually made a little more complicated during the ground breaking ceremony: KJ challenged the CEO of F&E to make the OP store the greenest in California, or maybe even the USA, there was a lot of testosterone flowing at the time.... the challenge was taken up by F&E, and the CEO demanded solar panels....amongst other things...so the plan was re-drawn, to meet the CEO's vision - and KJ's challenge....and it is going through the appropriate channels again.... They throw those buildings up quickly. I am pretty sure it will be open soon enough. Julian Slee 2012-05-02T23:50:05Z emaher comment-67254 2012-05-02T03:21:07Z 2012-05-02T03:21:07Z The City council is not alway the final decision. They cannot violate their own General Plan or zoning design standards. The courts will be next. I am both a planner and McDonald's shareholder but I am fully aware that most of these corporations do not recognize neighborhood or local standards and draw their plans for California in Ohio without so much as a site visit in many cases and they are inflexible in their corporate standards. Fine for the Interstate truck stop but not for mixed use multi story in a neighborhood trying to change its character. emaher 2012-05-02T03:21:07Z MsPhillips comment-67250 2012-05-02T00:43:31Z 2012-05-02T00:43:31Z Julian, I have not noticed a Fresh & Easy being constructed on Broadway. All other Fresh & Easy sites in Sac were built & opened by the end of January. There is no sign of Oak Park's, only a fenced-in empty lot with stacks of used beams. One worries that the design changes demanded by the neighborhood have caused a rethink by Fresh & Easy. MsPhillips 2012-05-02T00:43:31Z Miguel Barraza comment-67244 2012-05-01T20:01:37Z 2012-05-01T20:01:37Z Thanks Julian for all you work on this issue and others in the past, M.B. Miguel Barraza 2012-05-01T20:01:37Z Julian Slee comment-67136 2012-04-29T15:21:43Z 2012-04-29T15:21:43Z Political, the pricing of the tickets has been negotiated to ensure the highest level of local participation. There are also a number of comp tickets available that are being targeted towards those that would not otherwise be able to attend. 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. Julian Slee 2012-04-29T15:21:43Z politicaldebater comment-67123 2012-04-28T17:43:38Z 2012-04-28T17:43:38Z This pig roast sounds peachy. But what about all the Oak Park people who aren't going to the pig roast? I'm sure there are many. I'm sure there are also many Oak Park residents who would prefer to have a McDonald's closer to home. Ideally it would be great to have a local business open up in that spot, but I'll take a McDonald's over a vacant lot any day. politicaldebater 2012-04-28T17:43:38Z Julian Slee comment-67116 2012-04-28T14:38:31Z 2012-04-28T14:38:31Z And lastly McDonalds does see an opportunity: To gain an increase in their share of the local (but fundamentally fixed) restaurant economy. They will continue to build stores until they reach saturation level, and their store placement strategy is to ensure that one McDonalds doesn't canniablize business from another. Julian Slee 2012-04-28T14:38:31Z Julian Slee comment-67114 2012-04-28T14:33:32Z 2012-04-28T14:33:32Z Curmudgeon, what is being said here is that a community of fixed population will also have a fixed consumption of food. Spending on food remains generally constant although it will change with income. Where people spend their restaurant dollars, according to their individual preference is of little relevance to the city: Gross receipts and sales tax will remain pretty constant. 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. Julian Slee 2012-04-28T14:33:32Z Thuston1 comment-67091 2012-04-27T23:37:34Z 2012-04-27T23:37:34Z Say's Law? Really? Way to bust out defunct macro on a discussion about a local restaurant. Thuston1 2012-04-27T23:37:34Z Curmudgeon comment-67049 2012-04-27T17:15:10Z 2012-04-27T17:15:10Z OK dearie, on the one side you and your ilk complain that the McDonalds is "Providing a service for drive through customers, most of whom will not be living in the vicinity of the restaurant". 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. Curmudgeon 2012-04-27T17:15:10Z Thuston1 comment-67047 2012-04-27T15:31:11Z 2012-04-27T15:31:11Z Youre kidding right? You don't seriously think that people in midtown or Davis or racho are driving to oak park for a big mac? That's pure lunacy. They're there already and they need to eat. Theyll stop at jackinthebpx or Louie's or subway or stockton burger or boon boon or..... The money gets spent anyway. If u think adding a new McDonalds ceeates a net increase in local commerce you should go take a remedial economics class and then let's have a real discussion. Thuston1 2012-04-27T15:31:11Z Curmudgeon comment-67046 2012-04-27T14:33:49Z 2012-04-27T14:33:49Z Gee, if most of the customers are drivers coming from out of the neighborhood, then how does this franchise "take" from other restaurants in the area? Moreover, a franchise has a local owner. Curmudgeon 2012-04-27T14:33:49Z Thuston1 comment-67045 2012-04-27T12:27:37Z 2012-04-27T12:27:37Z Political debater clearly knows more about politics than business or economics. Just because some dude comes in and plunks down a restaurant, doesnt mean that there are more jobs, or more taxes than before. A restaurant like that takes business from other restaurants. The net meals sold in oak park, the net jobs, and the net tax revenue wont change. The primary difference here is that with an international franchise of a public corporation, most of the money spent with the new competitor on the block goes OUT of the area. This is not an issue of bringing money into Oak Park or sacramento. It is a well designed model to funnel money OUT. Thuston1 2012-04-27T12:27:37Z Julian Slee comment-67042 2012-04-27T01:16:03Z 2012-04-27T01:16:03Z Are we done fishing for the night? Mentioning the words "Oak Park" in the Sacramento Press is like chumming for sharks with mammal blood. Julian Slee 2012-04-27T01:16:03Z Julian Slee comment-67041 2012-04-26T21:11:26Z 2012-04-26T21:11:26Z Curmudgeon, economic issues are just one of many that need to be considered. We have covered this point before, and you were in agreement that there are compromise positions that meet the criteria set out in the general plan, economic development and the needs and wishes of the local community. 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! Julian Slee 2012-04-26T21:11:26Z Julian Slee comment-67019 2012-04-26T22:06:14Z 2012-04-26T22:06:14Z The proposed location of the store takes specific advantage of traffic dynamics: Stockton acts as a major arterial connecting midtown, and the freeway with South Sac, moving many non local commuters through the area. The 1,700 petitioners indicate a strong local preference for something other then McDonalds. 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. Julian Slee 2012-04-26T22:06:14Z politicaldebater comment-67017 2012-04-26T19:30:23Z 2012-04-26T19:30:23Z JulianSlee, you say most of the drive through customers will not be living near the restaurant. Are that many people really going to go out of their way to go to this one particular MacDonald's? And what if they do? Don't we want people spending money in our neighborhoods?? politicaldebater 2012-04-26T19:30:23Z Julian Slee comment-67015 2012-04-26T18:31:50Z 2012-04-26T18:31:50Z Curmudgeon, much has been done in Oak Park in the last few months to address the issue of infill: We have a Fresh and Easy being constructed on Broadway, a new mixed use development on MLK/Broadway. Stage 1 Construction for a new farmers Market has almost been completed in McClatchy and about $3M is about to be spent there on a running track, disc golf, skateboard park and other improvements. We also have two very successful small retail food businesses that have been established in the last three years, and plans have been submitted for the rebirth of two other restaurants on Broadway. And then there is the Triangle project, not to mention various community gardens...did I miss anything. 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... Julian Slee 2012-04-26T18:31:50Z Curmudgeon comment-67014 2012-04-26T17:16:48Z 2012-04-26T17:16:48Z Because the vacant lot in slummy Oak Park is oh so pristine. Talk about eyesores. Curmudgeon 2012-04-26T17:16:48Z Curmudgeon comment-67013 2012-04-26T17:15:42Z 2012-04-26T17:15:42Z Four Legs Gooood, Two Legs Baaaad! Curmudgeon 2012-04-26T17:15:42Z Curmudgeon comment-67012 2012-04-26T17:14:37Z 2012-04-26T17:14:37Z Are you seriously telling me the General Plan is sacred, and utterly sacrosanct? Perhaps that this commercial lot has remained vacant for years, indicates how out of touch the Almighty General Plan is with economic reality. Just a heretical thought... Curmudgeon 2012-04-26T17:14:37Z Curmudgeon comment-67011 2012-04-26T17:11:50Z 2012-04-26T17:11:50Z And the lot stays vacant and the neighborhood stays run down. Congrats! Curmudgeon 2012-04-26T17:11:50Z Sallen comment-67009 2012-04-26T16:54:05Z 2012-04-26T16:54:05Z People would rather have businesses and buildings that conform to the general plan. Are you seriously posing such a ridiculous question? Sallen 2012-04-26T16:54:05Z thsas comment-67008 2012-04-26T16:54:30Z 2012-04-26T16:54:30Z "People would rather have a business that benefits the neighborhood". Will there be no jobs created? Taxpayers created? Realestate taxs generated? Sales tax generated? Corporate sales taxes paid? Will no one in the community eat there because they like the food? thsas 2012-04-26T16:54:30Z Julian Slee comment-67006 2012-04-26T15:42:58Z 2012-04-26T15:42:58Z politcaldebater: Logical fallacy isn't typically a game winning move in debating. Julian Slee 2012-04-26T15:42:58Z Arum comment-67001 2012-04-26T09:41:06Z 2012-04-26T09:41:06Z People would rather have a business that benefits the neighborhood. As city planning staff clearly pointed out, this lot is not suitable for a drive through. Arum 2012-04-26T09:41:06Z politicaldebater comment-67000 2012-04-26T07:29:53Z 2012-04-26T07:29:53Z So people would rather have a vacant lot than a legitimate business?? politicaldebater 2012-04-26T07:29:53Z MyQuest comment-66995 2012-04-26T04:27:08Z 2012-04-26T04:27:08Z Clever idea PW MyQuest 2012-04-26T04:27:08Z P W comment-66993 2012-04-26T02:24:46Z 2012-04-26T02:24:46Z Make a McDeal: You can have your drive thru IF you pony up for the new arena. We'll even throw in the naming rights...you could name it "Big Mac". P W 2012-04-26T02:24:46Z Julian Slee comment-66988 2012-04-25T20:17:16Z 2012-04-25T20:17:16Z Thsas: 1,700 petitioners, mostly within the immediate vicinity of the site, and Oak Park Neighborhood Association don't want it at this location, and have provided reasonable arguments as to why they oppose it. And the general plan doesn't even allow for it. Providing a service for drive thorough customers, most of whom will not be living in the vicinity of the restaurant, provides nothing to the locals but inconvenience and an eye sore. This isn't Oak Park's cup of tea, and that is important. Julian Slee 2012-04-25T20:17:16Z Julian Slee comment-66985 2012-04-25T19:17:42Z 2012-04-25T19:17:42Z McDonalds just doesn't get it: With 1,700 neighbors signing a petition saying no to their proposal, McDonalds insist on labeling this plan as "Neighborhood Friendly". 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. Julian Slee 2012-04-25T19:17:42Z thsas comment-66984 2012-04-25T18:54:29Z 2012-04-25T18:54:29Z I think lots of people like their food? Not my cup of tea, but that is not important. thsas 2012-04-25T18:54:29Z CCC comment-66974 2012-04-25T16:42:38Z 2012-04-25T16:42:38Z wow, they don't have enough restaurants already? but they will bring us light, and shade, and . . lots of litter and traffic and really bad food though. CCC 2012-04-25T16:42:38Z Marc Ronson comment-66970 2012-04-25T15:49:20Z 2012-04-25T15:49:20Z boooo McDonald's. Marc Ronson 2012-04-25T15:49:20Z