McDonald's Decision Still Weeks Away

Following , Detroit's Special Land Use Manager Robert Davenport was inundated with emails and letters. 

Those opinions have been made a part of the official file for the McDonald's proposal and will be considered in Davenport's decision, he said, noting he is waiting on additional information from McDonald's before a decision will be issued.

during the hearing, show the fast food restaurant will have 52 parking spaces with double drive-thru lanes and will face Canyon Street in Detroit. The drive-thru lanes will abut Mack Avenue--the dividing line between Detroit and the Grosse Pointes.

Davenport estimated Wednesday that he has received about 20 emails and 10 to 15 written letters. Of all of those, only one person wrote in support of the proposed project, he said. 

While a notice was on the building for weeks before the hearing, many discovered the meeting only a few days earlier and couldn't attend because of previous commitments and work.

Similar to Davenport's experience, Patch asked residents and business owners for their opinions and only one of dozens was in favor of such a restaurant moving in on the former dealership site.

Davenport said the decision is likely still weeks away as he is waiting for additional information from McDonald's and a recommendation from Detroit's city planning department. The orientation of the building was one issue addressed during the hearing, and Davenport is waiting for submission of revised site plans from McDonald's addressing the Detroit Planing Department's concern, he said.

The McDonald's will have two exit/entrances. One will be on Mack Avenue and the other will be on Canyon Street. The drive-thru lanes end close to the Canyon Street exit--a concern not only to a Detroit city planner but also for Moran Road residents. Moran and Canyon are one street named differently in Detroit and Grosse Pointe Farms. 

If approved by Detroit, McDonald's wants to break ground in August and open by October. Davenport's decision--whether it's to approve or to deny--is appealable to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which could put the project off from its schedule.

Davenport said the decision, once made, is submitted to his supervisor for approval before being available to the public.