Newport Council Approves McDonald’s on Balboa

Despite pleas from an overflowing, sometimes jeering crowd, the Newport Beach City Council on Monday voted to allow a scaled-back version of a McDonald’s restaurant on the Balboa Peninsula.

On a 4-3 vote, the council approved the restaurant with the caveats that the chain provide off-site parking for employees and that if a traffic study finds a signal is warranted at the site, McDonald’s will pay the approximately $90,000 cost, with a portion to be repaid by other businesses moving into the area.

Residents of the neighborhood around 28th Street and Newport Boulevard have termed the project a “Big Mac attack” that will bring noise, traffic and trash, despite concessions from the restaurant chain.

Thomas Hyans, president of the Central Newport Beach Community Assn., said of estimates from McDonald’s of cars and customers: “The statistics have been cooked--make that deep-fried--to suit the situation. . . . The philosophy that anything is better than a weed-filled dirt lot does not apply.”

But a McDonald’s spokesman argued that the restaurant itself wouldn’t draw people; it would only serve those already drawn by the beach, pier or other attractions.

Jerry King, a land-use consultant for McDonald’s, said, “We continually heard that the site would be a destination, and the traffic would be increased. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

The appeal before the City Council was brought by the Central Newport Beach Community Assn., the Balboa Peninsula Point Assn. and resident Laith Ezzet. Opponents have complained that two walk-up windows, a glowing sign and menu at eye level and a drive-up lane with only an eight-car capacity will cause traffic jams and blight.

McDonald’s officials agreed to change the red-and-gold color scheme of the restaurant’s exterior to blue and gray. They also agreed to give up the chain’s trademark golden arches, along with speakers at drive-up windows, two to three hours a night of potential business and an outdoor dining area. The chain also promised to limit signs to 10 feet tall instead of 25 feet and institute daily litter pickups within a two-block radius.

Although those sacrifices won a 4-3 vote of approval from the Planning Commission in June, some residents of the 28th Street Marina across the street from the proposed site weren’t happy.

Hundreds of area residents signed petitions opposing the store. Others wrote letters to the city, citing the potential threat to established, mom-and-pop fast food restaurants among their concerns.

Traffic, both automobile and pedestrian, was a focal point in the debate.

Project opponent Kent Stoddard noted that the restaurant site, on a triangular concrete island between the peninsula’s main thoroughfares, leaves little opportunity for pedestrians to mosey up to the walk-up windows. He said the restaurant will heighten the risk of cars hitting pedestrians approaching from opposite sides of divided Newport Boulevard.

Another concern was that cars lining up for the drive-up window would spill out onto Newport Boulevard, blocking already congested street traffic. A city traffic engineer said the restaurant will solve that problem by sending someone out to take orders from queued drivers, speeding the service time.

Two residents sent letters favoring the restaurant. Both expressed hope that a shiny new business would encourage owners of “run-down” properties to make improvements.