Board Fails to Extend Restaurant Study

Residents opposed to a McDonald’s restaurant at the northwest corner of Altadena Drive and Lake Avenue were disappointed Thursday when the Board of Supervisors failed to extend an urgency ordinance requiring closer scrutiny of the proposed restaurant.

On Feb. 13, supervisors imposed a 45-day urgency ordinance that requires the developer to secure a conditional-use permit before beginning construction. Although the restaurant complies with the commercial zoning for the site and with county and community plans, residents protested that the restaurant would create traffic problems.

On Thursday, the board heard from residents opposed to the restaurant who repeated their concerns and presented 2,000 signatures from unhappy homeowners. The board also listened to representatives from McDonald’s, who called the ordinance unfair and asked that it be lifted.

The board agreed with residents and voted to extend the ordinance for 10 1/2 months, as recommended by city staff members. However, urgency ordinances require four votes. With Supervisor Kenneth Hahn absent and a vote against the extension by Supervisor Pete Schabarum, the extension failed. The board decided to vote again at the next board meeting Tuesday.