Alan Roscoe, the architect shepherding the McDonald’s remodeling application through the planning process, called the past year “time well spent” leading up to the approval finally granted at the planning board’s November 14 meeting.
Work will begin in March or April to change what most board members regarded as one of the ugliest buildings on Main Street into a McDonald’s that Roscoe has said will be unlike any in the northeastern United States.
Company executives initially wanted to put in large and extensive signage to draw attention to the property in keeping a business model hugely dependent upon people idling engines in a drive-through lane. The palette of the finalized design is much muted one of whites and greys, and considerable details were added at the recommendation of town architect Kurt Sutherland to be more harmonious with the New Paltz aesthetic.
This was the first application for which current board members enjoyed an architect providing them with guidance, in addition to the engineering and legal perspectives they usually receive.