Residents of Ridgely Condominium and three other apartment buildings in East Towson are fighting to keep a McDonald's restaurant out of their neighborhood - but they aren't likely to get their way.
That's because the land where the McDonald's would be built is zoned for such an establishment.
Nevertheless, residents of Hampton House Apartments, Hampton Plaza Complex, TABCO Towers and Ridgely Condominium, all on East Joppa Road near Fairmount Avenue, say it would lead to increased noise, loitering teen-agers and increased traffic congestion.
Residents also said the area has several restaurants - including a Burger King less than a quarter-mile from the proposed McDonald's site.
McDonald's executives argue the restaurant would benefit the neighborhood.
"Our business provides important financial investment for the community. We will employ approximately 45 to 50 people, full- and part-time, generate revenue from real estate and payroll taxes and provide jobs to local businesses through landscapers, electricians, painters and more," said Tara McLaren, communications supervisor for the Baltimore-Washington regional office of McDonald's Corp.
McLaren added that the AbilitiesNetwork/Project Act center on Joppa Road received a grant this year from Ronald McDonald House Charities to help children with disabilities.
Baltimore County officials say the zoning for the site, now home to two small brick and clapboard houses, favors McDonald's. The restaurant would be between TABCO Towers and Storage U.S.A. at 207 E. Joppa Road.
"It definitely is a permitted use," said Arnold Jablon, the county's director of permits and development management. "It is certainly zoned for the area."
The county Planning Department postponed a meeting between Towson residents and McDonald's officials this month because of a dispute over whether the fast-food chain had posted a sign on the property 21 calendar days in advance of the meeting.
McDonald's is required to do so by law. McDonald's said the sign was there, but agreed to reschedule the meeting for Dec. 19.
"The meeting was supposed to be about the phases in which the McDonald's is going to be built. They can keep their phases. We don't want any phases at all," said Betty North, 69, who lives in Ridgely Condominium.
But, McLaren said, "As a responsible neighbor, we asked the residents in the immediate area and the appropriate community agencies for their input on this new location. Based on their comments, we incorporated their feedback into our revised concept plan."