McDonald’s project ‘not compatible,’ planner says
Developers are tweaking plans for a major overhaul of McDonald’s on Second Street.
The City Council on Tuesday asked the developers to rethink parking and car access to the proposed remodel. Many council members voiced support for the project, which will go back before the council May 13.
“We were hoping for this,” said Margaret Taylor, land use consultant for the developers and member of the City of Burbank Planning Board. “I can’t say we had any expectation at all.”
Planning for the three-story building at the intersection of Second Street and Colorado Boulevard began eight years ago. The Spanish-style structure will offer two to four retail spaces on the ground level, office space on the upper levels and a renovated McDonald’s, said Tom Landau, the project’s architect.
The plan went before the council as an appeal to a Planning Commission denial. City staff recommended against approving the project, saying it would worsen downtown traffic.
Developers, who met with planning officials Wednesday afternoon, have 10 days to redraw the project and hand it over to planning officials. The city workers will then review the revised plans and study how traffic would be affected if officials decide to reverse the direction of the adjacent alley in order to ease traffic.
The alley currently runs toward Colorado Boulevard. Developers said that in its present form the alley worsens traffic by dumping drivers onto Colorado Boulevard.
Landau said he will redraw the plans so the 31 ground floor parking spaces designated for patrons of McDonald’s are connected to the project’s 269 subterranean spots. Council members had expressed concern that drivers visiting the restaurant may need more than 31 spots. Landau also said he will look at eliminating a driveway on Colorado Boulevard.
Once the changes are complete, the council will again review the proposal. The council has directed staff to make available the necessary paperwork to approve the project in May.
At Tuesday’s meeting, eight of the nine public speakers were enthusiastic about the project. Kelly Olsen, former head of the Planning Commission, was the only member of the public to speak against the project.
Several organizations have voiced support of the project, including the Pier Restoration Corp., the Bayside District Corp., the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and several homeowner groups.
City staff recommended Tuesday that the council uphold a previous Planning Commission ruling and deny the project.
In his presentation to the council, Jay Trevino, planning manager for the city, said the project is “not compatible” with the surrounding area because of traffic and pedestrian concerns.
While the overall supply of parking is adequate, there are too few spaces allocated to McDonald’s, Trevino told council members. Trevino also highlighted an environmental report that stated traffic — as well as noise and air quality during the demolition and construction process — would present “significant and unavoidable impacts.”
- Margaret Taylor, consultant
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 10, 2003. Read the original PDF.