Everman says planned McDonald’s is a build‑by‑right project; city frames it as an economic catalyst

At a town hall, City Manager Craig Spencer addressed community reactions to a planned McDonald’s on a commercially zoned parcel, telling residents the project is “build‑by‑right” and did not require discretionary city approval. He said a private owner sold the commercially zoned property to McDonald’s and that the city’s role is limited to enforcing development standards and permitting compliance.

Spencer said the arrival of a national quick‑service restaurant could function as an economic anchor, encouraging additional commercial development such as grocery stores, pharmacies and medical services that residents have requested. He rejected the idea of a city subsidy for the project, saying no tax‑increment or similar subsidy was in place and that developers purchased the property privately.

Spencer acknowledged resident concerns about traffic and access, noting engineers are reviewing access points and that permitting includes third‑party plan review (Bureau Veritas) and ordinance requirements for screening, lighting and other protections where commercial abuts residential properties. He said the city can ask developers to contribute to intersection improvements but cannot compel payment without traffic impact fees, which Everman has not implemented because officials believe such fees could deter development given the city's relatively high property tax rate compared with neighboring jurisdictions.

Next steps: Spencer said staff will continue to work with the developer on design details and that residents can raise further questions with staff at the event.