Proposed McDonald’s is the Talk of Lakewood City Council Meeting

Nearly 50 residents attended Monday night’s meeting. Most of them showed up to express their concerns about the on Detroit Avenue.

More specifically, they wanted to know how traffic will impact the neighborhood near Woodward and Detroit avenues where the has stood since 1923.

Although the issue wasn’t directly on the agenda, the topic came up several times during the meeting — which was nearly two-and-a-half hours long.

A traffic study was recently conducted — with McDonald's picking up the tab — to examine the traffic count on Detroit and Woodward avenues.

The city will be studying the results.

But neighbors are hoping for a more thorough examination. They began circulating a petition asking the city to require a comprehensive traffic study that would further examine the issue.

They have already collected more than 300 signatures.

The city’s Architectural Board of review approved the preliminary plans . Sketches show entry and exits on both Detroit and Woodward avenues.

That doesn’t sit well with residents of Woodward Avenue.

Lisa Blackburn, who lives four houses south of the proposed development, said she fears that traffic on Woodward Avenue would double.

“We were assured that residential input was important and would be considered,” she said. “I don’t feel that is happening.”

Fran Storch, a resident of Woodward Avenue, echoed that sentiment.

“We’re all upset about this,” she said. “It seems like no one is listening.”

Increased traffic flow wasn’t the only topic concerning the proposed Golden Arches on Detroit Avenue. Council also introduced a measure, sponsored by Ward 1 councilman David Anderson, which would make future drive-thrus in the city a conditionally permitted use.

Council also discussed an idea to change the traffic signalization in the area, which may help alleviate some of the traffic concerns.

Congestion and cut-through speeding were problems on Woodward Avenue for years before the McDonald’s showed interest in the Detroit Theatre, said Ward 2 councilman Tom Bullock.

“These are issues we need to address anyway, this just raises the stakes,” he said.

Jim Kramer, another resident of Woodward Avenue told council he was pleased to hear of the traffic study, but added he is more concerned with the safety of the street rather than the possible nuisance additional traffic may bring. 

“I am here because I don’t know where else to go,” he said. “I want to make sure that someone is concerned with the safety of our street. I’d like to make sure that when this traffic study is completed that we have time to review it.”

Once the city obtains and analyzes the results of the traffic study, Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said the city would have some strategy options. Some of them include making Woodward Avenue a one-way street, eliminating street parking and using a chicane to slow oncoming traffic.

“Right now, we’re a year away from an opening of the proposed McDonald’s, so we have the element of time to consider,” Summers said. “I think it’s a challenge — and an opportunity — for Lakewood to get creative.”

The issue is set for further discussion at the city’s next planning commission meeting on Oct. 6.