McDonald’s drive-thru development update
As covered in the May edition of this paper, on March 28 the Castle Pines Planning Commission denied an application for a McDonald’s restaurant to be built on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road by a 5-2 decision. McDonald’s appealed that decision to the City Council, and on May 28, the proposed restaurant lost that appeal with another 5-2 vote.
During the more than five-hour meeting, many Castle Pines residents opposed the development plan, citing concerns of a McDonald’s 24-hour drive-thru restaurant negatively impacting the community with noise, lighting, increased traffic, increased crime and lowered property values.
Representatives for McDonald’s argued that the proposed site improvement plan complied with all standards and requirements of the City, including zoning, construction and drainage.
Despite the concerns by residents, council member Roger Hudson said that the City Council does not have much latitude during a property development process. Zoning rules determine where different development types may occur within the City. City officials must legally allow a development if it is consistent with the city’s property development standards, guidelines and other city goals. In rejecting the McDonald’s plan, the City Council focused on broad language that lies in the Castle Pines property development standards. The City’s development standard looks at how a development might affect the public health, safety and welfare of the community.
For additional information, visit information@castlepinesco.gov or call 303-705-0200.
The City Council meeting that discussed the McDonald’s appeal was streamed live. The recorded video may be viewed at https://www.castlepinesco.gov/city-services/city-departments/city-clerk/city-council-meetings/.
By ViVi Somphon; photos courtesy of the City of Castle Pines
