Not all Happy Meals in Sultan

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, July 25, 2001

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

SULTAN — There’s a Big Mac attack in town, but it has nothing to do with hungry appetites.

The McDonald’s Corp. of Kirkland has filed an application with the city and plans to build a 3,700-square-foot restaurant east of downtown at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Rice Road.

Although the application is under review and no permits for construction have been issued, just the idea of the area becoming a fast-food mecca has some folks ready to attack.

But for others, it is a sign of better economic times ahead.

Loretta Storm is one resident who is attacking the plan on her Web site.

"It sets the tone for tacky franchise-type businesses," Loretta Storm said in her message on the Web site for GRIT, a grass-roots organization dedicated to educating residents on issues and slowing growth in the area (http://ittakesgrit.org).

"I would like Sultan to envision and sculpt something other than a typical franchised future," Storm said in an interview.

She said the planning for the McDonald’s has flaws.

"Has anyone considered the safety problems inherent in this setup?" she asked.

"The site plan shows no breakdown lane for westbound traffic on U.S. 2. People crest the hill near the Chevron at speeds of 60 miles an hour or more. They will see the restaurant and slow down or possibly stop, before pulling into the McDonald’s driveway."

For those traveling on U.S. 2, fast food is readily available in Monroe, about seven miles west of Sultan. But traveling east, there’s not a McDonald’s until Leavenworth, on the other side of Stevens Pass.

Don Becka, real estate manager for McDonald’s in the Northwest, said the chain has always had an interest in Sultan but couldn’t make it a reality until recent sewer improvements allowed more development.

The McDonald’s would be the first full-service fast-food restaurant in Sultan, although there is a Taco Bell counter at a minimart and a Burger King that’s part of the Chevron station.

The application describes the restaurant as a single-story fast-food restaurant with a drive-through lane on 1.18 acres of land. It would include a playground for children.

Access would be on Rice Road, also known as 339th Avenue SE, and U.S. 2. There would be 46 parking stalls.

Development would require various permits and studies prior to the issuance of any building permits. An environmental checklist has been submitted and is under review.

Berryman &Henigar, a Seattle planning firm, is doing the review because the city’s planner and assistant planner left several months ago and have not been replaced. The city council approved a contract with the consultants so planning and development could continue.

It is expected that the consultants will complete the review within the next few weeks.

The project does not require a public hearing because the building is smaller than 20,000 square feet, city attorney Thom Graafstra said. But about a dozen residents who oppose fast food coming into town have been making their point at recent council meetings.

Building permits require planning commission and city council approval. If all goes without major problems, Becka said McDonald’s plans to be open by the end of the year. He said as in other places, McDonald’s in Sultan will be active in community events and will give scholarships to local students.

"We are hopeful, too, that other retail will come into that location, and there is every evidence that it will," he said.

Mayor C.H. Rowe said he supports McDonald’s coming to town because it would bring other retail business, and not necessarily just fast food.

"Where McDonald’s goes, others tend to follow," he said.

Another person who will be glad to see McDonald’s in town is police chief Fred Walser.

"I don’t eat there because my caloric intake won’t allow it," he said. "But McDonald’s is known for the research they do when they make a decision where to locate.

"Other companies watch that, and if a McDonald’s goes in, it can be a signal for other businesses to come here."

Walser said Sultan needs to expand its sales tax base.

"We aren’t going to make it if we don’t begin to attract new business," he said.

Walser also thinks McDonald’s is a good employer.

"They teach kids about working," he said. "And they also hire older, retired people to help out."

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.