McDonald's Franchisee Accomodates City Planners

Brand chains often must receive approval for their branded look within strict zoning laws. Neighborhoods do not always like Golden Arches seen high above the tops of homes. Here's an account of a McDonald's franchisee, who plans to spend $1.5 million to replace a 37-year-old building with a new, slightly larger restaurant with an indoor play area. Mr. Duval and his McDonald's representatives went before the council on Tuesday seeking approval for their overall plan. After some debate, the council voted 4-0 to issue the business three new conditional-use permits and two zoning ordinance variances.

Most of the discussion focused on whether the fast-food restaurant should be able to have the bright yellow striped awnings called for in its plans and whether it would be allowed to keep its existing pole sign, which is larger than what is permitted under the city's current sign regulations.

While the planning commission and city staff recommended limiting the awnings to a single, relatively muted tone, Councilman Mike Runk said he thought the striped yellow awnings would be an attractive splash of color in the city's increasingly homogeneous business district. - Stillwater Gazette

In the end, the council approved the new McDonald's building. But city planner Scott Richards said he thought the city was being relatively permissive by only requiring McDonald's to tone down its awnings.