Does A Fast-Food Drive-Thru Belong Here?

Editor's Note: Middletown Planning and Zoning cancelled for Feb. 12, rescheduled to Feb. 27.

There are those who advocate a change in the MX code who say it won't alter the character of the neighborhood.

Let's say, for example, that a high-traffic, drive thru restaurant is allowed on Washington Street, just South of High.  That means more traffic on High and Pearl.  A big black-top parking lot.  Dumpsters, early morning deliveries, idling cars, illuminated signs, industrial fans and air conditioners.  Noise. Litter. Diesel fumes mixed with the scent of greasy food.  Ugly, right?  And those factors will influence every home within a block of this restaurant.  But advocates say it wouldn't affect that neighborhood.  Here's a little photo essay to give you a sense of the neighborhood it would affect.  You decide, where should the Burger King go?

The Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission meets Feb. 13 at 7 PM, in City Hall's Council Chambers to deliberate two significant zoning proposals which could affect this neighborhood, and others.