Planning Commission recommends approval for McDonald’s expansion at 652 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard

The Newport News Planning Commission voted unanimously 9-0 on April 16 to recommend that the Board of Zoning Appeals approve special exception SE-2025-0006, allowing a 42-square-foot expansion to the existing McDonald’s drive‑through at 652 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard.

City planner Cora Zarko told the commission the property is zoned C‑1 (retail commercial), sits adjacent to single‑family homes to the south and commercial properties on other sides, and has operated as a drive‑through restaurant since 1975, making it a legal nonconforming use. Zarko cited the city zoning ordinance (Section 45‑32046) that permits enlargement of nonconforming uses provided certain conditions are met.

Staff said the proposed expansion would increase the building footprint from about 4,269 square feet to about 4,311 square feet and be limited to the northeast corner of the building. The application includes a revised landscaping requirement: a landscape plan meeting the transitional buffer and green‑area requirements must be submitted and approved by the director of planning before a building permit is issued. Staff also recommended that no more than one freestanding sign be allowed and listed additional standard conditions included in the staff report.

Commissioners asked about the status of a prior conditional use permit (CU13-317, approved Sept. 24, 2013). Zarko said the conditional use permit has a two‑year timeframe and had expired. Commissioners pressed on public notification and traffic/drive‑through circulation: Zarko said staff received one public comment that appeared to misunderstand the application and that the site plan on file dates to 1986 and will be updated when the applicant returns for building permits. Commissioner Stodgill questioned how the added pickup window would affect queuing; staff and other commissioners noted the addition is a 42‑square‑foot bump‑out in line with the existing building.

Jennifer Smith, who identified herself as the franchisee for the McDonald’s, appeared and answered procedural questions from the commission.

Commissioner motioned to accept the planning department recommendation for SE-2025-0006; the motion carried on a roll call vote of 9‑0. The planning commission recommendation is advisory; the Board of Zoning Appeals will hear the application on May 20, 2025.

Details required before building permit issuance include an approved revised landscape plan and installation and perpetual maintenance of required landscaping per the approved plan.