McDonald's drive-thru

Owner of the neighboring Dollar King Market said he installed 45 security cameras because of vandalism and homelessness in the area, and argued the McDonald's will bring safety, jobs and encourage other businesses to invest.

Called out the transparency of moving the hearing up from August 18 and said the city has voted no three times, opposing the project on process and fast-food saturation grounds.

Opposed the project on health grounds, saying fast food exploits low-income families and children and that the Planning Commission's denial should be respected.

First Ward resident said he never received notification despite living across the street, and urged denial, saying the process has become a tool to exhaust the community and citing city health statistics.

Opposed the project, noting McDonald's representatives live outside the city and that San Bernardino has roughly a 3-to-1 fast food ratio, urging the council to deny again.

A developer building on Baseline said the 'too small for something better' argument is an excuse, urged mixed-use development and said the council lacks imagination in accepting a national chain.

Said she is hypothyroid and personally harmed by fast food, asked why not a healthy restaurant instead, and urged the council to oppose the drive-thru.

Testified against the McDonald's, urging the council to listen to the community majority present and invest in healthier options.

Executive director of the García Center for the Arts and a preservation commissioner urged the council to pursue culinary arts businesses and better planning instead of another McDonald's, referencing nearby development projects.

Long-time resident and organizer said the community is hungry for opportunity, not McDonald's, and urged support for local economies and healthy food options for children.

Pushed back on the opposition, saying this is a free market, criticizing those focused on homelessness who don't act, and urging approval to send the right message to developers.

A property manager, contractor and planning commissioner spoke in favor, citing jobs, blight removal, improved streets and the need to work with the development presented.

Said he is angry about the McDonald's decision and opposes the DOJ grant, citing a shooting involving federal agents and urging community-based public safety instead.