'WATSONVILLE FIRST' Plans Opposition To New Taco Bell, Other Fast Food Restaurants

A network of concerned citizens has created, “Watsonville First,” an organization dedicated to fostering a healthy and thriving Watsonville community. Their first “call to action” will be their campaign, “Fed Up With Fast Food in Watsonville” which wants to bring attention to the City of Watsonville’s plan to allow a Taco Bell to be built next to the site of the new McDonald’s on Main Street near Riverside Drive.

On Tuesday June 2nd at Watsonville City Hall, the Watsonville Planning Commission will vote to recommend consideration by the Watsonville City Council to permit this fast-food restaurant in the downtown area. Watsonville First believes that the McDonald’s decision was rushed by the City Council and hope to get ahead of the decision making process and being at the Planning Commission meeting.

This McDonald’s has also been granted a permit to have a 24-hour drive-through window.

Watsonville First members are concerned about health and obesity, the effect that fast food has on local businesses, the long-term vision for downtown Watsonville, more low wage jobs in Watsonvillle and the environmental effects that this Taco Bell and other fast food restaurants have on the environment.

The public is encouraged to learn more about this issue by attending the June 2nd Planning Commission meeting. Public comment is at the top of the meeting agenda and anyone is allowed to speak for up to 3 minutes to the committee.

Planning Commission Meeting

June 2, 2015

6pm

Watsonville City Hall

275 Main Street

Room 400