Planning Commission Approves Drive-Thru Project at Goleta McDonald’s

After more than a decade, the Goleta McDonald’s near the campus of UC Santa Barbara will finally have it’s drive-thru.

The Goleta planning commission approved the plan Monday night with a 3-2 vote.

Opponets had raised concerns over the traffic impacts and added pollution if the drive-thru was added to the restaurant in the Camino Real Marketplace.

Franchise owner David Peterson has been fighting to get the project approved for 14 years and is excited by the commission’s decision.

“It’s the right time,” Peterson said. “It’s going to mean major improvements to sidewalks, better ingress and egress traffic flow. All around we’re thrilled to have it happen.”

The next step in the process is obtaining a building permit, and Peterson sees construction starting in the first quarter of 2014.

The project could still be appealed to the Goleta City Council.