Would You Welcome Fast Food in the 'Wood?

The lines over what's considered fast food have blurred over the past three decades, says Village Planner Blais Brancheau, and business is suffering as a result of Brancheau reported at the last planning board meeting that six small businesses have been denied entry to Ridgewood because of the ordinance.

But some planning board members fear that Ronald and Wendy could displace mom and pop, and further charge that Ridgewood residents would be upset by seeing corporate fast food popping up in the CBD.

Where do you stand on this? Would a fast food restaurant–which Brancheau says is unlikely to even nudge into the CBD if it were fully allowed–damage the character of the downtown?

Given that many existing businesses can be considered fast food, what about the fairness of barring some but not others?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!