Council Considers McDonalds, Mi Patio Tonight

The Hyattsville City Council will be tackling a number of topics at tonights meeting. Here's a brief rundown. Attatched to this article is a copy of the city council agenda packet, which includes memos and supporting documents for each item. 

Of note:

McDonalds Disapproval - 

Slated as part of its consent agenda, the city council consider sending a letter to the Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission stating the council's opposition to an application to build a McDonalds with a drive through at the far western corner of the Home Depot parking lot off of East-West Highway. Members of the city council have been critical of the inclusion of a drive through lane at the restaurant, saying that it does not fit in with the approved uses within the Prince George's Plaza Transit District Development Plan. 

Mi Patio Decision Delay - 

The city council will also consider a measure supporting a request from the owners of Mi Patio seeking to postpone a public hearing before the Prince George's County Board of License Commissioners for the restaurant's application for a special entertainment permit. According to the agenda, the delay is designed to give restaurant management time to address "operational issues", namely noise complaints and regulatory adherence, noted by city officials and area residents in a public hearing earlier this month. 

A memo detailing the postponement request from Mi Patio's attorney, Eugene Pitrof, notes that it will take some effort to change how restaurant patrons behave there. Why? Because they're Dominican, that's why.

"This will take some behavior modification for the normally high spirited Dominican's who are accustomed to celebrate everything, including sporting events played on television, so that they don't disturb the neighbors," reads Pitroff's memo. "My clients are convinced they can eliminate the complaints from the residents of the neighborhood if given this opportunity to do so."

The Hyattsville City Council meets tonight at 8 p.m. at city hall at 4310 Gallatin Street. The meetings are broadcast on Comcast Channel 71 and Verizon Channel 12.