More than 50 people gathered at the Douglas County Library – Castle Pines to provide public input at the City of Castle Pines Planning Commission (PC) meeting on March 28. Their primary objective: to stop a 24-hour-operated McDonald’s restaurant from coming to the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road. After more than two hours of public input and deliberation, the PC voted 5-2 to deny the application. McDonald’s has since filed an appeal of the ruling.

Since the news began to circulate last fall of a McDonald’s coming to 80108, the community has been fervently discussing the matter on social media. A petition against the fast-food chain with hundreds of signatures circulated online.

Many comments vocalized by residents focused on the 24-hour operations and cited concerns of increased traffic, litter, crime and public nuisances that come with an around-the-clock restaurant.

“McDonald’s is one of America’s lowest-brow, fast-food chains,” said Winterberry resident Jody Stevens when giving public input. “We have a beautiful city, why would you want to add that dynamic?”

“We are progressing into a glorified truck stop,” said Knightsbridge resident Stacia Anderson, who indicated her home is about 2,500 feet from the proposed location. “We already have three gas stations and carwashes, a tire store, autobody shop, and a shopping center that has sat vacant since 2016.”

Anderson pointed to a 2021 development plan from the City that indicated the proposed commercial development was intended to be used as a low-traffic community center, but it is now being considered for a high-traffic restaurant in a school zone.

“A lot of what has been said in public comment echoes what I feel,” said PC Chair Pro Tem Vincent Oletu. “The City’s comprehensive plan asks us to create a walkable environment, and McDonald’s does not do that.”

“I like McDonald’s,” Commissioner Seth Katz said, citing statutes that regulate City planning. “But I can’t find that McDonald’s furthers public health, safety and welfare.”

McDonald’s was founded in 1954 in California. It has since grown to be one of the world’s largest fast-food chains with more than 36,000 locations, in more than 100 countries.

The developers of the proposed McDonald’s filed an appeal of the PC’s decision to City Council. Council will hear the appeal at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Castle Pines Library meeting room. Public comment on the issue is welcome. As of press time, neither the developer nor the McDonald’s corporate office replied to requests for comment.

For more information, visit castlepinesco.gov.

 

 

Article and photos by Bear Rothe