TELL US: Should Waltham City Council Have Power Over Fast Food Permits?

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.