Tuesday, August 17, 1999
Residents meet with White Castle
Complaint: 24-hour place not suitable
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MOUNT HEALTHY — White Castle will submit plans later this month to build a restaurant at Hamilton and Kemper avenues, hoping to get approval so building can start in December.
But opposition to the restaurant remains among Kemper Avenue residents, who met with White Castle officials last week to express their concerns about a 24-hour restaurant.
Residents' main objections are the increased traffic they say the restaurant would generate on their residential street, litter in their neighborhood left by customers, increased noise and lower property values.
“Kemper is a quiet, residential street, and they are bringing business traffic on our street,” said Nancy Riehle, who lives on Kemper and has been vocal in her opposition to White Castle. “I welcome busi ness to Mount Healthy, don't get me wrong. But I am against them bringing their business traffic onto our street.”
Melvin Kattelman said he has lived in his home for 45 years, raising his family there.
“This is one of the nicest streets in Mount Healthy,” Mr. Kattelman said. “We put a lot of time, work and money into our home, and we're proud of it. We're proud of our street. We just feel flat-out that a White Castle restaurant is going to turn our lifestyle upside down.”
Jim Mundt, regional opera tions manager for White Castle, said he understands some of the residents' concerns, but he doesn't think their fears will be realized.
“I think the chances of any of those things coming to pass are slim to none,” Mr. Mundt said. “I'm sure there are some (residents) that no matter what we would say or promise, we could not convince them that White Castle would be a good development for the community. We think it is, or we wouldn't develop there.”
There will be a buffer and landscaping at the rear of the restaurant property, Mr. Mundt said, and the drive-through window and speaker will be at the front of the building facing and not the back, reducing noise in the neighborhood.
He also said that 90 percent of the customers who patronize a White Castle live within three miles of the restaurant.
“So those are people who live in the community,” Mr. Mundt said. “Just because there's a White Castle there doesn't mean that suddenly their neighbors are going to start throwing their trash in someone's front lawn.”
Still, residents like Ms. Riehle said they will present their case to the city planning commission to help minimize the impact on Kemper Avenue and nearby side streets.
“We are still pursuing our interests with the planning commission,” Ms. Riehle said. “Our bottom line is we don't want the business traffic on our street.”
Mr. Mundt said that if the plans are approved and construction were to start in December, the restaurant could open by March.
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