24-Hour Drive-Thru Allowed at New Plainfield McDonald's

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At a May 20 board meeting, trustees signed off on a special use permit for the drive-thru without any restrictions — meaning that, at this point, the board's hands are tied.

"They are asking for 24-hour for drive-thru only," Village Planner Michael Garrigan said. The dining room at the restaurant, located in the Rose development, will be open from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.

At the May 20 meeting, a resident of the nearby Harvest Glen subdivision expressed concerns about the impact a 24-hour drive-thru could have on the neighborhood. At the time, Garrigan told her he didn't believe the applicant was asking for a 24-hour operation.

But a representative from McDonald's on Monday told the board that the all-day, all-night drive-thru is important to the franchisee.

"Based on our view, we need to have the option to be 24 hours," he said, noting that time will tell if the local market will support a 24-hour drive-thru in the long run. 

Village attorney Jim Harvey told trustees they could reverse their decision by passing a motion to rescind their approval of the special use permit. That, however, could set the village up for legal issues, since the restaurant has been proceeding with plans to begin construction — including securing the necessary building permits — with the understanding that a 24-hour operation had been approved.

Trustee Garrett Peck said he voted in favor of the special use approval based on his understanding that the drive-thru would operate during limited hours. He made a motion to rescind the special use permit, but it failed for lack of a second.

"I apologize to the residents," Peck said Monday. He also quizzed police chief John Konopek as to whether late-night operation has proved to be an issue at other Plainfield McDonald's locations.

In February 2012, rivalry between the Plainfield East and Plainfield North high school basketball teams led to a fight at the north McDonald's location, 12501 S. Route 59, just north of 27th St. 

Read: 'Near Riot' at McDonald's Follows Plainfield North-Plainfield East Game

Konopek said since the incident, police have been in contact with McDonald's corporate security, which stepped in to help resolve security issues. 

"We have not had any problem with people hanging out in the parking lot," Konopek added of the location, which has a 24-hour drive-thru. The drive-thru at the other Plainfield McDonald's restaurant, located at Renwick Road and Route 59, closes at 11 p.m., while a nearby Joliet location at Route 59 and Caton Farm Road is 24 hours.

Trustee Jim Racich suggested the franchisee should meet with residents to discuss their concerns about the 24-hour drive-thru, or consider closing the drive-thru at midnight for a trial period to determine whether the 24/7 operation is really necessary.

Garrigan noted that McDonald's has been working with Harvest Glen residents to address other concerns, such as potential noise issues, by agreeing to add landscaping to the southwest corner of the property and relocating a trash enclosure. The restaurant has also agreed to add shade and ornamental trees along the southern perimeter of the property to provide additional buffering.

"There has been extensive discussion between the applicant and the residents about various issues," Garrigan said.