Petition to the Village Board: We are urging the Board to decline McDonald’s application to operate a Drive-Thru restaurant at 200 Skokie Blvd. In Wilmette

 
We, the undersigned petition the Village Board to declineMcDonald’s application for a Drive-Thru at 200 Skokie Blvd in Wilmette.

 

We oppose this application primarily because a Drive-Thru is a major cause of air pollution. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, idling vehicle engines emit toxic pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons. 

According to the U.S EPA Air pollutants are responsible for respiratory disorders. 

The World Health Organization reports that nearly seven million people die each year from exposure to air pollution. This is equivalent to 13 early deaths per minute. 

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that eliminating the idling of car engines would be the same as taking five million vehicles off the roads.

Cities across America are banning the construction of fast-food drive-thrus to reduce air pollution and combat climate change. Among them are Minneapolis; Long Beach and San Luis Obispo, California; Creve Coeur, Missouri; Fair Haven, New Jersey; Carrboro, North Carolina; Ridgefield, Connecticut; Concord, Massachusetts; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Measures to reduce car idling are gaining popularity and have been put in place in Boston and other cities. 

 

Approving a drive-thru at this location would be in direct opposition to Wilmette’s Greenest Region Compact (GRC2) Sustainability Plan 2021, which was adopted by the Village Board of Trustees on Sept. 28, 2021. As stated in the strategic plan, “Clean air is a key to a healthy environment. This is an area where regionally coordinated standards and activities are necessary. Reduction in fossil fuel emissions, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and proper indoor air treatment …… “

 

In its efforts to create a more sustainable region, the Village has committed to:

• Reduce Village and resident practices that negatively impact air quality
• Join with area partners in addressing air quality issues
• Manage commercial development to enhance environmental sustainability.
• Attract and retain businesses that practice and promote sustainability
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Reduce vehicle idling
 

 

Furthermore, a Drive-Thru contributes to increase in traffic congestion, accidents; litter, rodent infestation, light and noise pollution. 
Skokie Blvd at Old Glenview is a busy intersection. A Drive-Thru at this site would increase traffic and cause overflow onto side streets, not designed to cope with the volume. It will also clog Skokie Blvd and pose danger to pedestrians and bike ridersas patrons are not always attentive to pedestrians or bikes on the sidewalk. Additionally, a Drive-Thru hours of operation, often 24x7 adversely affect the composition and character of the neighborhood and lowers property values.

Given the Village’s commitment to sustainability coupled with the negative impact that a drive-thru restaurant will have on Village residents, we ask that the application from McDonald’s for a drive-thru on this property be denied.