ADRIAN — The Adrian City Planning Commission voted on July 7 to deny a special land use permit for a proposed McDonald’s restaurant on West Maumee Street.

The planning commission had two separate topics to consider: a site plan review and a special land use request, which was required because the city’s zoning ordinance does not automatically allow drivethrough restaurants in a B-2 business district. 

While a site plan review is largely an administrative function, with the planning commission’s role limited to determining whether the plan meets the legal requirements, planning commission chairman Mike Jacobitz explained that a special land use request is different.

“Whether or not it meets the criteria for a special use permit is somewhat subjective and open to discussion,” he said.

Jacobitz noted that while a restaurant is a “use by right” in a B-2 zone, a drivethrough restaurant is not. The zoning ordinance says that a drivethrough can be allowed in a B-2 district, but that requests must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The commission decided unanimously that they did not feel a drivethrough was an appropriate use for the properties at 4210 and 1548 W. Maumee St.

The decision followed a presentation by Tim Crowder, a regional construction manager for McDonald’s, and Mike McPherson, the engineer for the project. Also present was Mike Bodman, owner and operator of the North and South Main Street McDonald’s locations.

Crowder said the company made a number of changes to its original site plan to address concerns raised by residents, including fencing and landscaping between the restaurant and the residential properties to the north. The proposed orientation of the building on the property was also changed. 

“We understand that the neighborhood concerns are real and deserve a direct response,” he said.

Crowder said he felt the revised plans addressed the concerns raised by neighbors.

The commission also heard comments from several nearby residents. Pat Cassidy, a resident of Seel Drive, said a restaurant on that parcel would hurt neighbors’ property values. Gerald Burg, who lives on Meadowbrook Drive, asked how water runoff would be addressed, with Meadowbrook being lower than Maumee Street. Randy Palmer, who owns 1546 W. Maumee St., said he has a rental unit on the second floor of that building any efforts to reduce noise and light spill should take into account that there are residential uses to the east as well as the north. And Jed Engle, who lives on Meadowbrook, said a drivethrough at that location would be “a square peg in a round hole.”

Jacobitz said the planning commission also received a letter signed by 40 residents of the Meadowbrook subdivision opposing the plans.

After receiving public comments, Jacobitz reviewed the requirements for a special land use permit, which include:

• The proposed use must be compatible with the city’s comprehensive land use plan. 
• It must be compatible with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity.
• Its construction, operation and maintenance must not change the character of the surrounding area. 
• It must have access to public facilities, infrastructure, and services. 
• It must not be detrimental to the natural environment, public health, safety, or welfare by creating a nuisance.

“This is the type of street that we would expect fairly intense commercial development on,” Jacobitz said, adding that there are other drivethrough restaurants in the area. However, he also said the parcels along that stretch of Maumee Street are shallower than the parcels to the west, bringing any development at that location closer to residential properties behind it.

Tiffany Zych, who is the city commission’s representative on the planning commission, said a drivethrough on that parcel would change the character of the area. 

“I don’t think it fits the bill for a special use permit,” she said.

Planning commissioner Don Taylor said the local McDonald’s franchise owner runs a good business and supports the community. But, he said, “I really believe this does not meet the criteria for approval.”

Planning commission members Brian Watson and Robert Love III joined Jacobitz, Taylor and Zych in voting to deny the special land use request.

Because of that decision, no vote was taken on the site plan review.

The recording of the planning commission meeting can be viewed here: