Council continues public hearing on McDonald's drive-through hours and asks police chiefs for input

RTH Management Co. LLC asked the Woburn City Council on Aug. 19 for a special permit to extend drive-through hours at the McDonald's at 187 Cambridge Road to 2 a.m. daily. Attorney James Giuliano represented the petitioner and described the proposed extension as limited to drive-through hours only; interior restaurant hours would remain unchanged.

"We're requesting just the drive through hours be extended from, Monday through Sunday till 2AM," Giuliano said, noting the inside restaurant would remain closed at 11 p.m. Giuliano provided background materials including a lighting plan, pest-control and grease-trap maintenance records, and a two-year police incident pull he said showed mostly general calls in the area.

Councilors asked about security, lighting and queueing. Giuliano said the restaurant uses an active camera system and pointed to dedicated queue parking spaces that can be used if orders are delayed. Councilor Viola, who conducted a site visit, said she observed little loitering between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. and suggested the item go to committee for conditions.

The council opened the public hearing, received no public speakers, and voted to continue the public hearing to the regular council meeting on Sept. 16 and to refer the matter to the Committee on Special Permits. The council also approved a motion to send a communication to Chief McManus and Chief Kenton asking for their opinions on extending hours to 2 a.m. The public safety and fire departments' formal reports were still pending at time of the hearing.

No final permit action was taken at the Aug. 19 meeting.