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Is Fast Food Invading West Michigan?

Posted at 10:36 PM, Mar 19, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-19 22:47:20-04

WYOMING, Mich- In Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties alone there are 54 McDonald’s restaurants.  But the fast food chain is hoping to add another in Wyoming. 

Tuesday night, the city planning commission met and approved zoning changes for a McDonald’s and they got an earful from nearby residents and homeowners.

McDonald’s hopes to put the new restaurant on Chicago Drive at the southwest corner of Rathbone Street and Freeman Avenue.  Those living in the area say it will sink their property value and bring along trash, graffiti, traffic and loitering.

Another point of contention with the new McDonald’s moving in is health.  Michigan is the 9th fattest state in the country with an obesity rate of 28.8 percent.  With fast food at nearly every corner already some argue it will pollute the health of their community. 

With the zoning changes approved, four houses will be knocked down along with an abandoned building.  The planning commission says it’s a good thing and will improve that corner of the intersection. 

Fox 17 reached out to McDonald’s and asked how they could benefit the community, they declined to comment.