Plum McDonald's to Relocate on Route 286

McDonald's restaurant in Plum Borough is one step closer to relocating one mile down the road from its current Route 286 location.

On Monday, the Plum Borough Planning Commission approved a site plan for McDonald's at 1865 Route 286, at the New Texas Road intersection where the former Prestige Motors used to be. The restaurant currently is located on Route 286 just past Presque Isle Drive.

Mark Mox of McIlvried, Didiano & Mox—the consulting, engineering and surveying firm working on the McDonald's project—said he wasn't sure what would happen to the existing McDonald's location.

Plans for the new McDonald's restaurant include two side-by-side drive thru lanes and the elimination of a Playplace.

The zoning board already has granted a variance to reduce the number of required parking spots from 59 to 46. However, the board didn't approve the restaurant's request to erect a 35-foot sign—the borough ordinance sets the maximum height for a sign at 25 feet.

According to the Plum Advance Leader, Mox said about 70 percent of the current restaurant's business comes from the drive-thru. He also said relocating the restaurant to the Route 286/New Texas Road intersection would make it easier for motorists to access the restaurant.

Planning commission Engineer George Anderson said the site plan for McDonald's was well put together, and light shields would be included to reduce any disturbances.

The site plan will go before Plum Council in November for final approval.

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