Board Approves McDonald's Drive-Thru Variance
The Lansing Board of Zoning Appeals cleared a driveway variance for a planned McDonald's on the former Jon Anthony Florist site at 809 E. Michigan Ave.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Lansing Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant at 809 E. Michigan Ave. at its October 8 meeting. The site was previously home to Jon Anthony Florist, which operated for 80 years before closing in summer 2025.
Why it matters
The approval clears a major hurdle for redevelopment of a long-vacant corner property that has been on the market for four years. Residents and nearby institutions will see a changed traffic pattern along Michigan Avenue and North Hosmer Street.
The roughly 1-acre property includes a nearly 15,000-square-foot building and more than 200 feet of frontage on Michigan Avenue, and the revised site plan required only one variance after the December 2025 request was rejected. The sale is still contingent on city approval of the site plan.
The players
McDonald's
McDonald's is a global fast-food chain headquartered in Chicago that operates franchised and company-owned restaurants worldwide.
Permit Solutions
Permit Solutions is an Ohio-based firm that prepares and submits permitting and site plan applications for commercial developers.
The details
Ohio-based Permit Solutions submitted the site plan on behalf of McDonald's, which has pursued the property for more than a year. The floral shop will be demolished after the sale is complete, and the approved variance permits a driveway on North Hosmer Street.
Timeline
Summer 2025: Jon Anthony Florist closed after 80 years in operation.
December 2025: The Board of Zoning Appeals rejected the initial variance request.
August 2026: A revised site plan with one variance request was submitted.
October 8, 2026: The Board of Zoning Appeals approved the variance.
Market Landscape
Corner parcels on busy arterials like East Michigan Avenue are frequently redeveloped into drive-thru fast-food sites when retail vacancies persist. This variance follows that pattern, with the redesigned driveway addressing the constraints that led to the earlier rejection.
Neighbors near Michigan Avenue and North Hosmer Street should expect a new drive-thru traffic pattern once construction begins. The floral shop's demolition will also remove a long-standing landmark from the corridor.
The takeaway
Redevelopment of long-vacant corner properties often hinges on resolving site-specific zoning constraints, and persistence through a rejected variance can pay off. Residents tracking the corridor should watch for the site plan decision that will finalize the sale.
What happens next
The sale of the property to McDonald's is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending city approval of the site plan.
Further reading
Find more local updates in Openings & Closings, where Lansing business changes are tracked.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lansing State Journal.
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