By AUBREY HAWKE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
McDonald’s is asking the city to keep its drive-thru open round-the-clock as part of a larger plan for its Main Street location.
In a request to the City Council, McDonald’s officials also asked for permission to make site changes as part of a total rebuild of its building and parking lot, which is located near the corner of Main and Bacon streets.
McDonald’s plans to demolish its current restaurant and build a new one on almost the same footprint. It wants to add a second drive-thru lane, which would merge into one after ordering, widen a driveway, decrease parking and move the dumpster location.
Waltham-based attorney Joseph Connors spoke for McDonald’s at the City Council meeting on Oct. 15 and provided more details. He noted that the dining room would close nightly at 11 p.m., as it does currently, while only drive-thru and delivery service would operate through the night.
McDonald’s plans to keep the dining room hours the same as they are today.
The restaurant is currently open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, according to its website.
Three neighboring residents spoke against the request for extended hours.
“We simply don’t want a 24-hour McDonald’s. It’s not necessary. Main Street is busy enough as it is, all the time, 24 hours anyway. We don’t need more,” Bacon Street resident Michael Mackenzie told the council. “I think it sets a bad precedent for Waltham to have something 24 hours.”
Connors told council members that McDonald’s is seeing an increase in late-night business and online orders, so “they feel they need to provide that service because that’s where the demand is.”
Some council members voiced concerns and asked clarifying questions to the McDonald’s petitioners, particularly on the subject of noise management. Council members also asked about the potential traffic impact on the surrounding area, the potential around setting a precedent by allowing 24-hour restaurant operations, and pedestrian safety on Main Street.
The council deliberated for around 90 minutes before voting to send the matter to the Law Department for review and comment.
The City Council voted to continue the public hearing on the McDonald’s request on Dec. 9.
In other action, the City Council
- honored two new Waltham Eagle Scouts, Gregory Doane and Nicolas Adams from BSA Troop 248.
- swore in assistant assessor Edgar Martinez and city solicitor Katherine Laughman.
- referred a NSTAR grant of location hearing to the Licenses & Franchises Committee.
- referred a National Grid grant of location hearing to the Licenses & Franchises Committee.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber at Waltham City Hall. City Council meetings are open to the public.