(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Wilmette trustees rejected a drive-thru for a proposed McDonald's at Skokie Boulevard and Old Glenview Road on Tuesday night.
The village board's 6-0 vote to reject the special-use permit came after the vast majority of residents who spoke objected to increased traffic and air pollution, which they predicted would come with a McDonald's drive-thru.
Among those who spoke was 11-year-old Mia, who told the board she's concerned about her classmates biking past the area to Highcrest Middle School, including her best friend.
"She has to cross Skokie Boulevard, which is already unsafe with many car crashes monthly," said Mia. "I am worried that a drive-thru restaurant, with hundreds of vehicles, will be more unsafe. I fear for my and all of the bikers' safety when crossing Skokie Boulevard."
Brett Fuenfer runs a family-owned jewelry store across the street from the proposed McDonald's site who spoke before the village board vote.
"We are extremely concerned about the traffic problems and the patterns, in general, that would affect my business tremendously if my customers cannot get to me," he said.
The developer told the Wilmette Village Board it hired two consultants, neither of whom saw traffic issues — and the village agreed with that assessment.
The vote came despite approval from Wilmette's Zoning Board once McDonald's representatives agreed to close at 10 p.m. instead of 1:30 a.m.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
