San Bernardino council overturns planning commission, approves McDonald’s drive‑through at 116 W. Baseline

The San Bernardino mayor and city council voted 5–1 on Aug. 5 to adopt Resolution 2026‑069 and approve Appeal 26‑09, overturning the planning commission’s denial and clearing the way for a 3,684‑square‑foot McDonald’s with a two‑lane drive‑through at 116 West Baseline Street.

Associate Planner Christian Kalason told the council the proposal would consolidate six parcels into roughly 0.74 acres within the Commercial General (CG‑1) and Transit Overlay District and requires public‑realm improvements and conditions. Kalason read project specifics, including a required in‑lieu undergrounding fee of $176,822 and that the applicant provided 631 mailed notices within the city’s 1,000‑foot notification radius. “Appeal 26Dash09 would overturn the planning commission's decision on 04/14/2026, denial of Subdivision 26 Dash 03 and conditional use permit 25 Dash 02, which is proposed to consolidate multiple parcels and construct a brand new McDonald's restaurant with a drive thru,” Kalason said during the staff presentation.

The applicant representative argued the project would activate a long‑vacant corner and deliver off‑site improvements, landscaping and jobs. “McDonald's can and will activate a critical and underutilized piece of property and it will serve the community for many years,” the applicant said in closing remarks. Opponents during public comment said the development conflicts with the city’s transit‑oriented goals and would worsen local health disparities and ‘food‑swamp’ conditions. Ward 7 resident Ruben Mendoza told the council he believed the repeated reconsiderations were wearing down community resistance: “I don't want to believe that you brought this item back voluntarily. I think you're being impressed to flip your vote.”

Councilmember Charette moved to approve “option 1”; the motion was seconded and carried 5–1 with Councilmember Ibarra recorded in opposition. The clerk read the resolution into the record: “Adopt resolution number 2026Dash069 of the mayor and city council of the city of San Bernardino, California approving appeal 26Dash09, thereby overturning the planning commission's denial of Subdivision 26 Dash 03… and conditional use permit 25Dash02… to facilitate the development, establishment and operation of a 3,684 square foot drive through restaurant, McDonald's, on a parcel containing approximately 0.74 acres located at 116 West Baseline Street.”

The decision completes a multi‑year entitlement process that had included prior planning commission denials and a previous council denial; staff noted the item was brought back after a council reconsideration vote on July 15. The resolution directs implementation subject to the conditions read into the record; the applicant and staff will proceed with the required agreements for public works improvements and permit clearances.

Votes and next steps: the resolution was adopted at the meeting and will be implemented through standard permitting and public‑works agreements. Opponents said they may continue to use administrative channels to raise compliance or process concerns.