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C-store, McDonald's finally win early approval

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008 - 07:12:34 pm CDT

A plan to put a U-Stop convenience store and McDonald’s at 21st and K streets failed to elicit even a whimper Wednesday — after causing an uproar nearly three years ago.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a zoning change to allow the development on what is now an unused parking lot.

In the fall of 2005, the Planning Commission recommended 8-1 against a similar proposal. It was eventually narrowly approved by the City Council before Mayor Coleen Seng vetoed it in December of that year.

Story Photo
Eugene Carroll

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But this time, Whitehead Oil spent months working with the Planning Department and mayor’s office to overcome potential objections.

Among changes to the plan were limiting access to the site to only K and L streets, eliminating a proposed car wash, limiting the signs and agreeing to pay for installation of a pedestrian signal at 22nd and K if the Public Works Department deems it necessary.

Concerns about students from nearby Lincoln High walking to the site across busy K Street was one of the reasons the development was denied the first time around.

“I want to thank the applicant for the changes he has made,” said Eugene Carroll, the Planning Commission’s chairman.

One potential pitfall still remains for the project, though.

Whitehead is seeking a special permit to sell alcohol, and a public hearing on that request is scheduled for the July 16 meeting of the Planning Commission.

The issue will ultimately be decided by the City Council, which in 2005 approved the project only on the condition the store not be allowed to sell alcohol.

In other business Wednesday, the commission voted 5-3 to recommend against a plan that would allow  144 more apartments at the Chateau La Fleur apartments at 61st and Vine.

Commissioners said they felt the request would add too much density to the area, which already has nearly 800 apartments.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.


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disappointed wrote on July 2, 2008 5:40 pm:
" McDonalds is terribly unhealthy. With that $1 menu, guess where all the Lincoln High students will be heading for lunch? bad idea. "

 mike wrote on July 2, 2008 5:42 pm:
" How many u-stops do we need in Lincoln? come on!! get some new merchants in town "

 yesss wrote on July 2, 2008 6:01 pm:
" when I think of economic development I think of mcdonalds and super c! think of all the high paying jobs, benefits, and great experience the employees will receive?!?! to top it all off, both are excellent sources of vitamin deficient foods with little to no added community value! maybe instead of calling themselves the planning commission we could encourage them to change their name to the forward-thinking-as-long-as-I-can-get-gas-and-a-burger-on-every-corner-lincoln-will-be-in-great-economic-shape- commission! or not. "

 u-stops wrote on July 2, 2008 6:11 pm:
" Several U-Stops have become Shell in the past few months. I too would like new merchants in town. I would like several new ones in Westfield Mall. That place is a bit depressing because of how empty it is becoming. Congrats on improving the area around Lincoln High with some new construction and businesses. "

 michael wrote on July 2, 2008 6:11 pm:
" There is soon to be one less U-Stop in Lincoln, the Highlands location has a sign up indicating a July 5th closing.. and bare shelves to match. Would be nice of Quik Trip would come into the area and provide a knockout punch in competition to U-Stop. "

 Simple solution wrote on July 2, 2008 6:38 pm:
" If you want some "different" in town open it yourself, rather than nit-pick everything to death. "

 Smooove B wrote on July 2, 2008 6:46 pm:
" Interesting . . . none of these commenters apparently bothered to comment when it mattered. "

 Smart guy about to become richer wrote on July 2, 2008 6:58 pm:
" Hmmm... 21st and K? And on the North Side??? Take a look at the projected main route for the traffic after the antelope valley project is done. This will be a main corner for traffic from Capital Parkway from southeast lincoln to go north to Devaney and on to the interstate.

This location will be rolling in the dough. "

 MP wrote on July 2, 2008 7:26 pm:
" Its funny to see people wanting something different in this town. But when it comes down to it. Whitehead is a local owened company. When you spend you money there the money stays here. Same goes with Super C. Kwick Shop, GetnSplit also GasnShop, and Cassey's are all owened by people that dont live in Lincoln. Also Whitehead provides US oil not foreign oil. So before you go bad mouthing a company do your research. As for having a Mc D's or another fast food chain in your store brings more bussiness and also lowers the overhead cost of having a gas station. What something new open up your own store and see how well you do. "

 Democrat wrote on July 2, 2008 7:59 pm:
" Just another done deal. This is the way the City works! "

 jackson wrote on July 2, 2008 8:15 pm:
" smart guy about to become richer. Are you suggesting that some insider information is happening in lincoln? Wow, who would have ever guessed that could happen. "

 cmon perspective wrote on July 2, 2008 8:48 pm:
" If "disappointed" thinks McD's is unhealthy, they should try the public school cafeterias. And for those of you with problems with a U Stop and a McDonald's invading a neighborhood not near you, I guess you have the choice of motoring on by and filling up elsewhere. As for no added community value, need you be reminded that UStop sponsors a high school baseball team, and the Whitehead's have been major donors of places like the LCM, The Leid and other places? Perspective people. "

 Mrs. Johnson wrote on July 2, 2008 9:13 pm:
" The current city council and planning commission will approve just about anything nowadays. The good ole boy network is back in control. If you got money and power their more than willing to do your bidding. Most of them hope to join the club after their stint in "public service." "

 Well wrote on July 2, 2008 9:19 pm:
" What do ya wanna bet, someone out of town would want to build there the
council would be all thumbs down. This is why this town will never
progress, theres no competition, no incentative, its just drive 'em all
out, cause this town is for the "click". And you taxpayers pay for it or
get out. I know businesses that have looked this town over to maybe come in and start a business, and what they saw, they said, "no
thank you." And just maybe comments have been made and they weren't
printed! It happens!!! "

 Big ed wrote on July 2, 2008 9:48 pm:
" Ever wonder why traffic flow in Lincoln is so bad? Because EVERY spare bit of green space has to be developed. Look at the former green space north of the State Pen across Highway 2. Built up, and now two blocks past the 14th ahnd Highway 2 stoplight is...another stoplight. This development will slow traffic and endanger pedestrians, as will the development at Van Dorn between 9th and 10th. All in the Name of Big Business! "

 Curious wrote on July 2, 2008 10:12 pm:
" When did traffic in Lincoln get bad? Are you KIDDING me? "

 Cat wrote on July 2, 2008 10:35 pm:
" You want to see 'new merchants'? Open something. Find a niche, fill it, and make it work. "

 Fred Marks wrote on July 2, 2008 11:36 pm:
" How nice of them to agree to pay for installation of a pedestrian signal at 22nd and K if the Public Works Department deems it necessary. I believe the Public Works Department need to deem it necessary now...before construction begins and before some poor child loses their life!!! "

 Eric wrote on July 3, 2008 2:53 am:
" Any store is better than an unkept parking lot. What are they planning to do with East O street? Past the mall, the area looks terrible. The old Guitars and Cadillacs and former car dealership lots look awful. "

 What the heck wrote on July 3, 2008 5:47 am:
" This has been hashed and rehashed for YEARS. I remember when I was at Lincoln High MANY years ago we had to drive all the way to 27th and Vine to get to a McDonalds. There was talk THEN about opening up one closer. The proximity isn't going to add business as the kids there will find a way to get to one. And the "unhealthy" menu???....Well.....get a grip and stop being so P.C. If you're fat DON'T blame fast food. Here's an idea....PUT THE FORK DOWN AND PUSH YOURSELF AWAY FROM THE TABLE!!!!!!

As for traffic being bad in Lincoln??? Try Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta....ETC...ETC......The you will actually APPRECIATE the Lincoln "Rush Hour"...Er....."Rush 15 Minutes"..... "

 Imagine that wrote on July 3, 2008 6:50 am:
" Wow, I can't believe that this business is actually going to build on "Green Space" hmmmm-let's see- currenty its a what--yep, a PARKING LOT! Doesn't sound like green space to me, and all of you against new business in this town, guess you'd much rather see your property taxes rise even further by not allowing a capitalist venture to open and heaven forbid, make money. "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 3, 2008 9:12 am:
" Smooove B hits it right on the head - if you didn't go voice your opinions when you had the chance, you really look stupid voicing them now.

If you don't approve of this new business, then don't patronize it. Obviously the owner sees a need and an opportunity, otherwise he wouldn't waste his money. "

 Scott B wrote on July 3, 2008 10:30 am:
" Complain all you want about McDonald's...you will eat there sometime next week. A 24 hour business in a somewhat crime prone neighborhood sounds like a great idea to me. A nice area that is always lit and occupied. "

 Really wrote on July 3, 2008 10:52 am:
" Do we SERIOUSLY need another McDonalds in this town? There is one every mile you go. I was in Kansas City last week and barely saw a McDonalds. I think that if there should be a food place there, make it a semi-healthy place. I do agree with "what the heck?", people do need to control what they eat and not blame the fast food places. Anyways, USTOP is one of the FEW places in Lincoln that does not get their oil from the middle east, and we need to support that considering the oil mess we are in now. Keep money local! "

 Clueless in Lincoln wrote on July 3, 2008 12:52 pm:
" Whatever is wrong with you people? I bet you and the same people you post "Lincoln needs to increase sales tax." "My property taxes are to high because Lincoln doesn't have any businesses." And here you have a company that is building another store in town that will absolutely increase sales tax plus be in an excellent area that is in need of some revitalization. Think before posting people. "

 Chris wrote on July 3, 2008 1:10 pm:
" I'm not familiar with the plan, but I hope that the Planning Commission enforces design standards that will be conducive to the planned revitalization of the area with the antelope valley project. I have my doubts, Fast Food restaurants and Gas Stations usually have pretty stringent design requirements in downtown redevelopment areas and it is highly unlikely these businesses will adhere to them, although I admit to not being familiar with the plan. "

 HoorayForBigOil wrote on July 3, 2008 2:34 pm:
" Can not verify authenticity ConocoPhillips doesn't currently import crude oil from the middle east but for 2007 that where 5 percent came from.
ConocoPhillips ranks third among U.S. corporate producers of air pollution. According to the researchers, ConocoPhillips facilities release more than eight million pounds of toxic chemicals annually into the air. The company has also been implicated in some of the United States' worst toxic waste dumps. More fun facts on big oil. From 1995 to 2001, American oil companies shut down 24 oil refineries along the West Coast. Refineries were operating efficiently, producing large quantities of gasoline and therefore cheapening the cost of gas at the pump. According to a 2001 report by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), oil companies deliberately shut down refineries in the mid-1990s in order to increase the price of gasoline.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex), head of the Energy and Natural Resource Committee, introduced the Gasoline for America's Security Act 2005. The most significant part of the bill gave the authority for the government to subsidize the construction of new refineries for petrochemical companies, despite the fact that the oil companies had intentionally been closing down refineries for years prior to the hurricanes. The bill allows for oil companies to construct refineries on military bases and government controlled areas offshore. The bill also included a clause in which several environmental restrictions on the oil companies would be repealed. So we subsidize their profits. "

 Pro Freedom wrote on July 3, 2008 8:07 pm:
" If you want to complain go to a planning meeting or city council meeting, have your voice heard where it counts.

To really, you hardly saw any Mcdonalds in KC. Just looked them up in both KC Missouri and Kansas and both have 10 McDonalds each. "

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