Planning Board Approves McDonald's Two-Lane Drive-Through

The Planning Board approved an application from McDonald’s USA, LLC, which calls for an interior and exterior makeover of the fast food restaurant on North Main Street and an additional lane in the drive-through.

“This project that we have proposed before you is really part of national rebranding… What you are seeing is a new look to McDonald’s and a new design,” said John Wyciskala, the applicant’s attorney said.

The drive-through will have two lanes approaching two menu boards and two customer order displays. After a customer places an order, the two lanes will merge into one as motorists approach the payment window.

“The demand for drive-through has grown over the years and McDonald’s is focusing throughout the region and throughout the nation on improving the efficiency of their drive-through facilities,” Wyciskala said.

The drive-through currently operates under tandem conditions, said Joe Jaworski, the applicant’s engineer. A driver pulls up to the rear of the building, places their order, and continues in a clockwise manner to the payment window and then a second window to pick up their food.

The configuration will shift the drive-through further away from the cash and pick-up windows in order to prevent the stacking of cars before placing an order, Jaworski said.

“By getting the two order points, it actually increases the efficiency because you’re able to order two people at one time and then as the order is being processed and the food is being prepared the cars are stacking after they order,” Jaworski said.

Since cars will be stacking after they order, the new configuration will prevent cars from creating a traffic hazard by backing up into the parking lot or on North Main Street, Jaworski said.

“It’s a very efficient and proven configuration,” Jaworski said.

But surrounding businesses had mixed feelings over the reconfiguration of the drive-through.

“It needs a change. It will be better for them to speed the flow of traffic because sometimes on Fridays and Saturdays, it becomes so packed that people can’t pull in,” said Richard Rutigliano of Lacey Collision, which is located next door. “It’s not going to hurt business or create traffic.”

Across the street, employees at the did not have such a positive outlook.

“I think Main Street going to Route 9 is horrible anyway. I don’t think there is anything they can do to improve the traffic,” Donna Flaherty said. “It might help during lunch.”

Mark Colasurdo, also an employee at Thompson Chiropractic, believes the two-lane drive-through will be hectic.

“The additional lane will require more manpower and cause confusion in the drive-through," he said.

With the drive-through being extended further back on the plot, McDonald’s will lose six parking spaces in the back for a total of 65. The chain also plans to install a concrete mat for the drive-through.

The applicant’s site plan also includes the construction of a new sidewalk around the front and side, an upgrade to the handicap spaces, milling and repaving of parts of the lot, a new masonry trash enclosure, pavement markings directing traffic to the drive-through, upgraded landscaping, restriping of parking spaces, and a 25-square-foot addition.

The exterior modifications will include a new color scheme, stone, a yellow arch on top, and the replacement of the existing mansard roof with a flat one.

As for the façade of the restaurant, the brick will remain but there will be a new stone arcade element, a trellis band with the brick below and material painted to match the brick above, and a metal band across the top of the building, Project Designer Gerard Spanola said.

The applicant went to the Planning Board seeking three variances for a site setback for the trash enclosure, an additional sign on the east side of the building, and a free standing menu sign for the two-lane drive-through. The Board approved the application unanimously.

The project will not be done in phases and McDonald’s is not expected to experience any downtime, Wyciskala said. McDonald’s anticipates beginning the project this fall once a resolution is passed and they are granted all the necessary permits.

Jaworski also added that McDonald’s might be looking to launch pilot programs in the future that would add LED lighting and install canopies with solar panels in the parking lot.