Planning commission approves McDonald’s at Altaria Creek; neighbors raise 24‑hour, noise and lighting concerns

The Bartlett Planning Commission on Dec. 1 approved both the final plan and the site plan for a McDonald’s on Lot 3 of the Altaria Creek Commercial Subdivision, permitting a 4,306‑square‑foot restaurant with a drive‑through and 43 parking spaces adjacent to 6525 Memphis‑Arlington Road.

Staff recommended approval with conditions after reviewing plats, grading, drainage and utility plans. Matthew Allen of STV Engineering, representing McDonald’s, said the applicant had no objections to staff conditions and confirmed the restaurant is expected to operate 24 hours.

Neighbors spoke during the open‑discussion period and asked the commission and applicant for mitigations for nighttime impacts. Becky Johnson said she opposed another McDonald’s in the area, particularly if it operates 24 hours, and cited existing neighborhood traffic. Keith Herbert, who lives immediately behind the proposed site, requested a traffic‑impact study (if one is not already completed), shielded downward‑directed lighting, additional trees as a residential buffer, lower drive‑through speaker volumes, an enclosed and gated dumpster area, more frequent trash pickup in summer months and mandatory pest control with reporting to nearby residents. Dennis Falter asked whether the matter would advance to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen; staff said site‑plan and Design Review Commission (DRC) approvals are required and that the item does not automatically go before the Board.

Commissioners asked whether 24‑hour operation would require changes to the site layout; the applicant said it would not and noted drive‑through speaker systems and digital menu boards are programmable to adjust volumes and light levels. Staff noted that noise ordinances and the DRC process address some operational details, but that the site‑plan process does not inherently allow the commission to add a condition restricting hours of operation when the use is permitted by right.

Voting: the commission approved the final plan in a roll call (6‑yes, 2‑no) with Alderman Jack Young and Ken Demetrio voting no; the site plan similarly passed on a separate roll call (6‑yes, 2‑no). The approvals are subject to the conditions in the staff report; the applicant may need to satisfy additional DRC or permitting requirements before construction begins.

Next steps: the developer proceeds to implement the approved site plan and satisfy staff conditions; neighbors and staff will rely on the DRC process, permit reviews and municipal code (including noise rules) to address operating concerns such as lighting, hours and drive‑through speaker volume.