Jackson Free Press

Neighbors of a proposed McDonald's restaurant at the corner of Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road succeeded in changing the businesses hours of operation and the color of the building, even though they weren't successful in stopping the development during a meeting Wednesday.

The planning board will recommend that the Jackson City Council approve a building permit for the restaurant's construction.

Former Jackson mayor Kane Ditto, who lives in the area, represented neighbors and complained that the new owners were pushing for a brightly colored yellow and red building, which--Ditto's words--looked "like a circus."

Nix-Tann and Associates, a real estate firm headquartered within 160 feet of the proposed fast food restaurant, also argued against the restaurant.

Kathryn Hester, an attorney at Watkins, Ludlam Winter and Stennis who is representing Nix-Tann, argued that the building violated terms of the city's C-2 zoning ordinance, which only allows a fast food restaurant when it is part of a neighborhood shopping center. She also said that no 15-day notice sign was posted for Wednesday's public hearing.

Ditto complained that businesses around the proposed restaurant traditionally seek retail space unencumbered by unsightly restaurant advertising.

"Business owners who rent retail space in that area have to compete with Highland Colony Parkway. How many (fast food) restaurants do you see on Highland Colony Parkway?" Ditto demanded of the Jackson City Planning Board on Wednesday.

The former mayor told the planning board that the owners of the restaurant had not made a real effort to work with neighbors to match the area's look prior to the Wednesday meeting.
"We've handed out pictures of McDonalds in Flowood, Ridgeland and Brandon. You will notice that these buildings have attractive buildings. They're not unusual colors and they do not have a 35-foot sign. We are entitled to the same respect that McDonald's shows Flowood, Madison and Ridgeland. I don't know any other way to say it," Ditto said.

McDonald's franchise owner Al Joyner told the board that he predicted that the restaurant would generate an $2.6 million within its first year of operation, and generate $85,000 in tax revenue for the city while creating more than 50 new jobs for the citizens of Jackson.

The Planning Board imposed conditions on obtaining the permit, including a requirement for neutral paint on the restaurant and a shorter sign, which neighbors complained would be 35 feet high, compared to nearly nonexistent signs advertising neighboring businesses.

Joyner agreed to come up with a plan with neighbors on redesigning the business's appearance.

During a 15-minute discussion outside the planning board meeting, neighbors and Joyner agreed to paint the building a khaki color, limit business hours at midnight and lower the height of the golden arches sign by 10 feet.

Ditto said he was not still not happy with the sign being 25 feet high: "I wanted eight feet, which is a normal monument size that McDonalds accepts in the suburban areas. It's still not over. We'll see where it goes from here.

Joyner, meanwhile, complained that he would have preferred the sign to be much higher due to the high traffic in the area and the multiple lanes on Lakeland Drive.

"A 10-foot sign would have been difficult because of the visibility. If you're headed east, and you're in the inside lane, you'll have to cross over to get to us, and it could be a traffic problem. I would've liked for it to be higher," Joyner said.

Previous Comments

ID

158345

Comment

do we really believe it takes a 25 foot sign for people to find McDonald's? c'mon. the mcdonald's on 51 in ridgeland has a very small sign and it's not hard to locate. the one in flowood also has a small sign.

Author

2599

Date

2010-06-25T14:38:32-06:00

ID

158350

Comment

51 isn't as wide as Lakeland or as heavily trafficked, and the McDonald's on 51 in Ridgeland isn't at a major intersection. I understand the owner's concerns about traffic problems (which aren't really about people not being able to get to his restaurant -- it's more about people doing stupid last-minute things when they realize it's there and they haven't had sufficient advance warning). I don't think tall advertising signs are anything to strive for, but then again I don't think six-lane arterial highways are anything to strive for either. If you're going to build a monstrosity like Lakeland Drive, you pretty much have to accept the consequences.

Author

Tim Kynerd

Date

2010-06-25T17:26:53-06:00

ID

158636

Comment

Mr. Joyner needs to be more concerned with the service quality of his present restaurants than with opening another one. The Ridgeland McDonalds location on Hwy 51 is arguably the worst McDonalds I have ever visited. To receive a "thank you" after giving him your money there is a rare delight, indeed. I've complained numerous times over the years to his headquarters and I've been quick to call with praise when deserved, but the unfortunate history of ineffective leadership continues. I am glad to have stumbled upon this article after visiting the Ridgeland location this morning - it is so horrid there that two people at the counter waiting for their food showed me a sign - right at the front - visible to employees and customers - reminding his employees to say "thank you." We watched 9 people be served and none of them received a "thank you" or even a hint of a smile... All I keep thinking is how many times over the years I've done both when I really didn't feel like doing either. My first job was at a fast food restaurant where I learned quickly that if i ever wanted to rise out of that environment, I had to do many things I didn't want to do so that i could succeed and better myself. Life lessons aren't easy but they are extremely valuable if we choose to view them correctly. And if I can learn to bite my forked tongue and smile through the many moments of aggravation involved with that big beast called "work", anyone can. After reading this article and after experiencing his restaurants for a long time, it is obvious to me that his focus is on expansion... and that is his prerogative. It is also my choice - and absolutely "my joy" - to never darken the doorway of his restaurants again.

Author

bryanms

Date

2010-07-15T09:25:23-06:00