Opponents To Reading McDonald's Reconstruction Circulate Petition

READING, MA — A group of residents has started a petition opposing the reconstruction of an existing McDonald's restaurant that would include adding a dual-lane drive-through.

The petition noted that the community has "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink the site at 413 Main Street, two blocks from the Reading MBTA station."

McDonald's plans to rebuild its Main Street restaurant and add a second drive-through lane. Reading's Zoning Board of Appeals approved special permits allowing the drive-through along with digital menu boards at a recent meeting.

Community opponents said that the move would increase traffic and safety concerns.

"Join signers of this letter asking the world's largest fast-food chain, McDonald’s, to withdraw its restaurant reconstruction proposal in downtown Reading, MA, and instead pursue mixed-use redevelopment," the petition reads.

"The fast-food giant would replace today’s single drive-up window with three windows, encouraging automotive use and increasing traffic and pedestrian hazards on sidewalks and travel lanes as more cars enter and exit the site near a congested intersection that is a high-crash location. And the McDonald's proposal is badly out of step with Town goals for a pedestrian-friendly downtown and Massachusetts’ 'MBTA Communities' housing development goals."

The redevelopment would involve razing the 3,400-square-foot restaurant and rebuilding it with a modern aesthetic. The new restaurant would have a 3,970-square-foot footprint and 30 parking spaces.

The petition opposing the proposal has garnered 42 signatures.

Read the full petition at change.org.

A public hearing on the project will be Monday at 8:15 at the Community Planning & Development Commission meeting at Reading Town Hall.