Yesterday evening, the Newark Central Planning Board held a scheduled meeting to address a number of new development and redevelopment projects throughout Newark. The hot topic for the evening was the development proposal for a project on Springfield Avenue that reportedly includes a McDonald’s and possibly a Taco Bell.
The residents in the area and the Newark community at large has been very vocal about not wanting cheap fast food options as part of the development and attended the meeting to voice their concerns, yet again. Initially, the proposal included a 24 hour operation for the fast food restaurant which caused an uproar by residents with concerns for safety and other issues that late night foot traffic can bring. Residents were also very vocal about their disdain for a so-called “compromise” that resulted in the restaurant agreeing to close at 1am and re-open the next morning at 5:30am.
After hearing from the developer’s lawyer and the Newark community members who spoke on the matter, the Newark Central Planning Board eventually voted 4-3 in favor of the development.
