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Saratoga Springs removes 3‑foot drive‑through median citywide and approves Jacob Ranch McDonald’s site plan despite a play‑place parking waiver
Summary
Council approved a citywide code amendment eliminating a required 3‑foot raised median between drive‑through aisles and parking and separately approved a McDonald’s site plan at Jacob Ranch Marketplace; staff noted the site has 37 stalls while counting the 800‑sq‑ft play place would require 45, and council accepted staff’s recommended findings to waive the additional parking.
The Saratoga Springs City Council on May 19 approved a citywide amendment to Chapter 19.09 that removes the 3‑foot raised landscape median requirement between drive‑through aisles and parking areas, and later approved a site plan for a new McDonald’s at Jacob Ranch Marketplace with conditions including a separate review for signage.
Code amendment: Planning staff presented the proposed citywide change requested by McDonald’s representatives and recommended approval, stating the amendment would improve vehicle circulation, reduce on‑site stacking, and mitigate trip hazards and snow‑removal issues. “The applicant has submitted a letter…they argue the median can impede efficient vehicle circulation and complicate snow removal,” staff said. Council members shared personal observations about local drive‑through bottlenecks; after discussion a motion to amend Chapter 19.09 passed unanimously.
McDonald’s site plan: The council then considered a site plan for a McDonald’s at approximately 1900 S. Redwood Road. Staff said the plan complies with most code requirements but the submitted sign package must return in a separate application. The proposed building includes a play place; staff indicated that if the play‑place (about 800 sq. ft.) were counted as a separate use the site would require 45 parking stalls, but without counting it the plan proposes 37 stalls—comparable to a 2019 Crossroads McDonald’s example where the city did not require additional parking after adding a play place.
Staff recommended findings that (1) precedent exists where a play place did not trigger additional parking, and (2) the play place is expected to be used by patrons already dining at the restaurant and therefore not projected to increase on‑site parking demand. Council approved the McDonald’s site plan with those staff findings and conditions; the vote was unanimous.
Other nearby development: During the same meeting the council approved a preliminary plan for Mount Saratoga Veterinary Clinic (30 N. Mount Saratoga Blvd) after staff said the application complied with gateway overlay and connectivity requirements.
What to watch for next: the McDonald’s sign package will return to the city as a separate application; the code amendment will apply citywide if codified.
