TELL US: Should Waltham City Council Have Power Over Fast Food Permits?
Some have said the fast food permit process is too arduous.
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With so many fast food and fast casual restaurants planning to come to Waltham, some Waltham Patch readers have objected to allowing the City Council approve permits to operate.
City regulations require any business wanting to operate a fast food establishment or a drive-thru window must receive a special permit from the City Council. However, that process can take months and require many meetings with City Council subcomitteees. Boloco, which had planned to open a location in Waltham, cancelled its plans after months of meetings with the City Council and its committees. In it letter to the city, CEO John Pepper slammed the "incredible bureaucracy" of the process to receive the permit.
What do you think? Should the Waltham City Council have approval power over whether fast food stores and drive-thru windows can operate? Leave your comments in the comment box below.
Beryl Porter
8:10 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
In other cities and towns, the licensing board handles these applications and are able to render a decision quickly and efficiently. Any problems with implementation are handled at this level.
Ace
12:45 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
The problem with appearing before a committee is that the questions are different every time. It's not a level playing field. I don't think it matters which city body is doing the process, but the process needs to be EXACTLY THE SAME for every applicant.
Jason Wichern
12:46 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Everyone loves to blame the city for the slow, glacier like pace the approval process takes, but I prefer the city take its time and does its due diligence to ensure the proper decision is made. And since it seems property owners & developers are trying to sneak things by the council, Im glad they do take some time to get a decision. While I may not always agree with them, and believe there is always room for improvement, I dont think the system is broken and needs to be overhauled.
Nick Low
4:23 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
"fast food" implies a "chain" and I wonder if there is a mentality that discriminates against chains, the second implication being that locals with "connections" receive favorable treatment. I'm not sure how allowing a Boloco in a non-residential neighborhood could be so arduous. Does a "townie" insular mentality still pervade here?
Cairo kid
11:10 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Nick, the mentality and Business IQ of the Waltham City Council, appears to be
room temperature! OLE farts only approve new banks, reading rooms, and quiet areas! Always complaining "too much traffic'! Waltham is a a busy city, u want new businesses? man up! Traffic is here to stay EVERYWHERE!