McDonald's Almost a Go at Pearl and Whitney

One more vote and developers can start to build a McDonald's at the corner of Pearl and Whitney roads. 

The Strongsville Planning Commission approved a 4,387-square-foot restaurant at the southwest corner. 

The only thing the project needs now is to add a buffer between the building and adjacent houses -- and an OK on that buffer from Strongsville's Architectural Review Board -- to start construction. 

Local developers North Pearl LLC bought both the southwest corner parcel and the adjacent Quality Catering lot at sheriff's sale in December for $445,000 and said they planned a fast food eatery there.

City Council in April rezoned part of the land from General Business to Restaurant-Recreational.

It's not the first proposal for development on that corner. In 2010, Sheetz sought to build a gas station there, but council turned down the rezoning request after nearby residents objected.

Sheetz has since joined a development on the other side of Pearl Road.

Last year, Discount Tire sought to build a store there, but Strongville officials didn't like the plan because it did not include razing the Quality Catering building.

The former catering building was torn down in May.