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McDonald's not giving up plans for drive-through
Company says notice by franchisee to cancel plans wrong
Residents of St. Clair neighbourhood call chain `insensitive'
From
Toronto Star - Sep 19, 2003
CHRISTOPHER
HUME
URBAN ISSUES WRITER
Despite reports to the contrary, McDonald's has not killed plans
to convert its restaurant at 710 St. Clair Ave. W. into a drive-through.
On Wednesday, the franchisee, Ken Lane, put up a sign in the front
window of the mid-town outlet announcing that "McDonald's Restaurants
of Canada has re-evaluated their position and I wish to inform
you that we will not be pursuing a Drive-Thru at this location."
But on Thursday, McDonald's of Canada issued a statement directly
contradicting Lane.
"Unfortunately, our independent franchisee at 710 St. Clair misunderstood
the company's position and incorrectly communicated this to the
public.
"The franchisee in no way speaks for McDonald's Canada," the company
said in a statement.
"You gotta wonder what kind of games they're playing," said Councillor
Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul's).
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"It's very clear from the message in the window that head office
had authorized the notice and now they're back-tracking. It shows
you what the community is going through. It's disappointing."
In fact, McDonald's has joined with the fast-food industry, the
Canadian Bankers Association and Canadian Tire to fight the anti-drive-through
bylaw passed by city council last year.
That bylaw was a result of the St. Clair drive-through proposal.
McDonald's and its allies have taken the city to the Ontario Municipal
Board, which began hearings on the anti-drive-through measure
last Monday.
"What they're challenging is the city's right to pass this bylaw,"
Mihevc said. "If they're successful, the city will have to throw
out all its planning regulations.
"Though they're challenging the bylaw on very narrow grounds,
ultimately, what's at stake is the city's right to determine its
own destiny."
McDonald's added, "we are willing to wait for this decision and
reserve the right to review our site-specific application regarding
710 St. Clair West at that time."
Susan Spiegel, a local resident, architect and anti-drive-through
activist, said she "can't believe the continuing insensitivity
McDonald's is showing to the community." When the franchisee's
sign went up on Wednesday, Spiegel thought McDonald's was finally
going to do the right thing.
"Not only is McDonald's not doing the right thing for our neighbourhood;
it's fighting the city's very right to govern itself."
The municipal board hearings will continue for six weeks. Oct.
1 has been set aside for public deputations.
