McDonald's appeal (Item 3)

Seventh Ward resident said the city has enough fast food and car washes and urged the council to demand better development than a ninth McDonald's.

Speaking for Senator Eloise Reyes, urged the council to uphold the Planning Commission's denial, saying the project is not the right fit for the Baseline corridor.

Said every resident is within a seven-minute drive of a McDonald's and approving another is a permanent, generational decision favoring traffic over walkability.

Encouraged the city to pursue small businesses, a third space, or a community garden instead, and to uphold the Planning Commission's decision.

Argued a new McDonald's triggers economic substitution, not net new activity, and that a drive-thru is exactly what the TOD overlay was designed to discourage.

Said a drive-thru conflicts with the Transit Overlay District and the Waterman Baseline Specific Plan, and encouraged help marketing the site to better businesses.

Gave a public health testimony: the city's own health scan shows high obesity rates and a drive-thru undermines walkability and TOD goals.

A labor institute worker said the average McDonald's salary of ~$35,000 can't sustain families and urged the council to demand healthier options and better wages.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president spoke in Spanish and English, saying the applicant's outreach — roughly 15 flyers — was insufficient for a community revitalization decision.

Asked whether the city is ready to demand higher-quality development and whether McDonald's would commit to hiring local workers.

Said the project means part-time, no-benefit jobs and no nutritional value — asking what community benefit the city actually gets.

Said he's not anti-McDonald's but wants development decided within the upcoming general plan and a Baseline specific plan with real community input.

Urged denial, saying the city should promote local restaurants, arts, and housing that build the Baseline corridor's cultural identity.

Said San Bernardino deserves better than out-of-state owners selling to the highest corporate bidder and urged the council to uphold the commission.

A small business owner and developer countered the applicant's claims, citing AB 2011's ministerial approvals and arguing the site could hold 125 residential units and ~25,000 sq ft of commercial.

Ward 7 resident who opposed the McDonald's, saying the city already has eight and should demand better businesses and opportunities.