When the Centreville McDonald's recently requested approval to open up an hour earlier in the morning, it was denied. Unable to satisfy the wishes of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee, it left the group's July 15 meeting still hungry.
But — determined to get its special order filled — McDonald's returned last week for a second helping and, this time, the WFCCA was able to comply. That's because the restaurant agreed to abide by the conditions the group had previously stipulated.
"So we took another vote," said WFCCA Chairman Jim Katcham. "And with those concessions, the committee voted to endorse the earlier opening."
The members have long been unhappy about the appearance of the McDonald's next to the Fort Hill Building on Route 28. And whenever they made suggestions, their words and complaints generally fell on deaf ears. Said WFCCA member Kathleen Hill: "They just haven't been a good neighbor."
Consequently, the WFCCA was in no mood to do any special favors for the restaurant. (Attorney Keith Martin, representing McDonald's, said the request was the result of local residents who'd asked McDonald's if it could open at 4 a.m., instead of its usual 5 a.m.).
But — disturbed about the restaurant's rooftop fluorescent lights, brightly glowing interior lighting and violations of the county sign ordinance with banner signs displayed on a wrought-iron fence — the WFCCA said no. And WFCCA's Carol Hawn said McDonald's propensity to paint words all over its windows was the "most offensive" thing to her.
However, in a new spirit of cooperation, McDonald's came back to the WFCCA last Tuesday, Aug. 19, and was willing to bargain. "They agreed to turn off the fluorescent lights on the roof and no longer use them," said Katcham. "We [also] asked them to remove the electrical connection to the roof so they can't be used, at all."
Furthermore, McDonald's said it will reduce the painting on its windows by about 50 percent. Added Hart: "We also asked them to discontinue using banner signs on the railing and, basically, to conform with the Fairfax County sign ordinance."
Next stop for McDonald's is the county Planning Commission, which is scheduled to consider the issue during its Sept. 10 meeting.