Dear Foothill Friends and Friends of the Foothills,
As many of you know, during their regular meeting of September 13, 2011, the Amador County Planning Commission removed some of the architectural conditions of approval originally placed on the Martel McDonald’s restaurant.
Specifically, action was taken to remove the requirements related to use of earth tones and native exterior rock and wood finishes, making way for a new corporate standard design. This action was a mistake. The current design and conditions of approval of the project were the result of extensive public input and close collaboration between the public, the planning commission and the applicant.
If the current facility is to be redesigned it should be done so in a manner which is consistent with our local heritage. The applicant, the public and the planning commission have an opportunity to work together to develop a project which we can all be proud of.
The proposed conversion of the existing facility into a bright red, white and yellow building would be step backward in our County’s continuing efforts to retain and in some cases, regain the unique local character we all value.
An appeal of the Planning Commission’s action has been filed.
Under the leadership of Brian Jobson and Keith Sweet a group of local citizens are also approaching McDonald's Corporate to preempt the necessity of the appeal by voluntarily working with the community to renovate the existing building in a manner more consistent with the foothills' architecture and history. An example of a more desirable design is the McDonald's restaurant built in neighboring Angels Camp, also on Historic Hwy 49.
It is our goal to demonstrate to McDonald's that their cooperation with the community is desired and welcome.
All we are asking of you is that you go to our Facebook page and click LIKE at the top of the page. We want McDonald's to understand that this is an issue important to many! Our petition to McDonald's is being presented in the most positive and respectful manner as befitting an already good business neighbor. Please join us with this simple gesture of support. Thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/SierraCommunityDesign.ChoiceOrChance
and, of course, PLEASE share this with your friends!
