Site-plan review of the proposed McDonald’s on Route 16 in Milton will pass through the first step at town council’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9, at Milton library.

At the meeting, council’s likely course of action is to send the request to the planning and zoning commission to begin the preliminary site-plan approval process. 

McDonald’s is seeking approval to build a 4,000-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru at the corner of Route 16 and Union Street Extended in the Milton Park Center Shopping Plaza, colloquially known as the Food Lion shopping center. 

The parcel is zoned C-1 commercial and the restaurant would include 60 seats, parking, drive-thru windows, landscaping, lighting and other improvements. Fast-food restaurants are permitted within the commercial district.

The first hurdle for McDonald’s was receiving three variances from the board of adjustment, with a voice vote passing Nov. 29 and the final written decision passing Dec. 20. 

McDonald’s presented its original variance requests Oct. 24, and the board unanimously granted variances to allow McDonald’s to have four electronic menu signs at the drive-thru lanes and to have a 10-foot-wide drive aisle from the service window to the parking area. At that October meeting, however, the board denied a variance from the minimum parking setback requirements, which by Milton code must be 30 feet. McDonald’s had asked for 15 feet because, to comply with code, it would necessitate the removal of code-required parking spaces. 

At the board’s Nov. 29 meeting, McDonald’s revised its plans, shifting the building to the east, opening up a 22-foot setback adjacent to Route 16 and a 24-foot setback on Union Street Extended.

McDonald’s is planning for access to the restaurant to come via the existing entrances to the shopping center. 

Other business

The Jan. 9 council meeting will also feature Milton Theatre making a presentation to council for street closures for the annual Zombie Fest. The request would allow the theater to gradually close off a section of Union Street from Broad Street to Federal Street for the event’s finale, the Zombie Walk.

The meeting will include a presentation by Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Bob Fulton, discussion of recommendations from the ad hoc parking committee, and discussion and possible vote on an ordinance making a series of amendments to the zoning code.

Council will discuss a $10,000 grant from the Delaware Bicycle Council that the town intends to use to conduct a feasibility study on traffic calming. 

In new business, Raymond and Catherine Sachs are requesting approval to merge lots at 302 and 304 Atlantic St. 

Finally, council will discuss a recommendation by the streets and sidewalks committee to hire an engineer to determine the feasibility of installing four-way stops at the intersections of Federal and Wharton streets, Federal and Union streets and at Mulberry, Magnolia and Lake streets.