ANTIOCH — With regards to constructing a McDonald’s drive-thru throughout the road from an elementary faculty, Oakley residents made it clear to Metropolis Council on Tuesday that they weren't lovin’ it.
After almost three hours of public feedback and council discussions, together with the opportunity of proscribing the fast-food restaurant’s hours of operations, council members in a 3-to-2 vote, denied the allow, with Mayor Randy Pope and Vice Mayor Aaron Meadows opposed.
Dozens of residents spoke in opposition to the drive-thru restaurant on the assembly, a second continued listening to in a course of that started greater than a yr earlier for the proposed Laurel Plaza quick-serve restaurant. Most have been anxious in regards to the impacts on Laurel Elementary Faculty college students, citing security issues for individuals who frequent the plaza throughout the road from the campus.
The proposed 4,365-square-foot restaurant could be positioned on the northwest nook of Laurel Highway and O’Hara Avenue. And, though town had years earlier adopted guidelines permitting a restaurant on the website, which additionally features a financial institution, gasoline station and comfort retailer, many residents mentioned didn't need to see a drive-thru restaurant find there.
Resident Shelly Fitzgerald urged the council to shoot down the conditional use allow utility, saying town has broad discretion whether or not to approve it.
“It has been acknowledged by workers that the Metropolis Council does the truth is have discretion to approve or deny this after the general public listening to,” she mentioned. “In my thoughts, a concern of being sued by a big company or a developer who adjustments the principles in the midst of the sport is unfounded.”
Michael Dupray, a longtime Oakley resident, in a letter to council, mentioned that drivers are “much less more likely to be alert at a drive-thru, which is harmful for bicyclists and pedestrians.”
“Youngsters are at better threat of being concerned in car collisions due to the proximity to quick meals,” he wrote.
One other resident predicted that Laurel Highway will get busier with extra new houses being constructed within the space.
“We don't want a drive-thru fast-food restaurant on the website,” Donna Chaddock mentioned. “What's going to you determine? Are you going to vote with the neighborhood or with an organization?”
Councilwoman Anissa Williams mentioned she didn’t assume it match the “supposed character of the final plan and zoning laws.”
Different cities have denied initiatives that appeared good however didn’t match the situation, she mentioned, citing Walnut Creek’s current denial for an Amy’s Drive-thru together with others.
“They didn’t really feel they might, in good conscience, do this. And I really feel like this is similar factor. We’re in that very same place the place that is an intense use.”
Councilman George Fuller recommended residents for popping out in droves to talk on the proposal.
”Sure, tonight, right here’s what I envision Oakley, I’m touched,” he mentioned. “Everybody, this can be a neighborhood that has determined that for the security of their youngsters, and the most effective of the neighborhood has come collectively. …You got here right here as a result of you might have a difficulty along with your neighborhood and the way it’s being run. And that’s what native governments are all about.”
Mayor Pope in the meantime was conflicted over the choice, noting an proprietor of a property ought to be capable to “do what they need on their property so long as it doesn’t intervene with their neighbors having fun with their property.”
“We additionally worth household, security and kids in class,” he mentioned. “We don’t need to see our children put in pointless hazard.”
Pope urged the developer, Core States Group of Southern California, would possibly contemplate revising its plans and quickly halting drive-through operations when youngsters are coming to high school or when lessons set free. Revising the drive-thru queue plans would additionally assist, he mentioned.
“I imply, a whole lot of this comes all the way down to location, location, location,” he mentioned, noting that if it have been down the highway or on Fundamental Avenue it seemingly wouldn't see as a lot opposition.
Although Pope wished to see if the venture could possibly be revised, Councilwoman Sue Higgins shortly referred to as for a vote to disclaim the allow, which Metropolis Legal professional Derek Cole mentioned could be a brief denial. The council will want in an upcoming assembly to approve findings to justify rejecting the venture for the reason that proposal met all the required circumstances and the plaza had been beforehand accepted for a restaurant, although not a drive-thru, he mentioned.