Cedar Rapids Planning Commission declines to recommend rezoning request for McDonald’s in southeast Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Planning Commission unanimously declined to recommend a rezoning request for a new McDonald’s along Mount Vernon Road SE at a Thursday hearing.

The fast food franchisee’s proposal for a new restaurant at 3414 Mount Vernon Rd. SE would require demolishing the existing Community Savings Bank between 34th and 35th streets and rezoning adjacent parcels of land from traditional residential single unit (T-R1) to a traditional mixed-use center (T-MC.)

Additionally, the plan would repurpose a green space at 720 34th St. SE for a drive-thru entrance and tear down two duplexes at 725 and 803 35th St. SE for a parking lot, displacing four residents.

Altogether, if approved, the new lot would make an inverted L shape that wraps around a former Little Caesar’s restaurant and Anytime Fitness, both of which would remain. Entrances for the drive-thru location would be located on both 34th and 35th streets, with exits on 35th.

The commission’s decision came after a large showing of residents from the neighborhood, who spoke to concerns including pedestrian safety, higher traffic volumes, loss of housing, noise and litter.

"It's butting up into my backyard,“ said Beth Peters. ”I do not want the noise, nor the lights, nor the trash, nor the exhaust from the cars — I don't want any of that."

The operation could potentially be open 24 hours, which accentuated residents’ concerns about noise, light pollution and traffic around the clock. A representative for the new restaurant said that new locations are typically encouraged to open for 24 hours early on to learn local business patterns and adjust hours accordingly.

City code would require implementation of certain measures to regulate light pollution, as well as trees and solid fencing along interior property lines bordering the residential neighborhood.

Safety of children walking to and from Erskine Elementary School, about two blocks northeast, was a significant concern for several residents.

“They don’t have sidewalks as it is, they’re (walking) in the middle of the street,” Peters said. “There’s no signs of (installing) sidewalks, it’s landlocked.”

Some spoke to concerns about the long-term impacts of a new McDonald’s and what the encroachment into residential areas means for the future of the neighborhood. One resident noted the long-shuttered McDonald’s on First Avenue NE, near the Mound View and Wellington Heights neighborhoods, which remains vacant today.

“We love our little slice of Cedar Rapids because it is stable, quiet, safe and affordable,” Peters said. “Let’s keep 35th a neighborhood, not a fast food corridor.”

Members of the commission echoed many of residents’ concerns, particularly with the restaurant’s encroachment into residential areas, loss of housing and 24-hour operation.

“If the proposal imagined the former Little Caesar’s there ... this would be a slam dunk. If they could keep the traffic right in there, this would be a no-brainer,” said commissioner Bo Brock. “This doesn’t strike me as a very efficient use of the land.”

Commissioner James Halverson, who asked questions early in the meeting about the hours of operation, said long business hours can create a burden to neighborhoods.

“It has a tendency of destabilizing neighborhoods,” he said. “To me, the detriment associated with a use like this in a predominantly residential area negates any benefit.”

Their recommendation will go before the Cedar Rapids City Council for a public hearing on Jan. 27, followed by a potential second and third reading of the rezoning on Feb. 10.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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