A plan to put a U-Stop convenience store and McDonald’s at 21st and K streets failed to elicit even a whimper Wednesday — after causing an uproar nearly three years ago.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a zoning change to allow the development on what is now an unused parking lot.

In the fall of 2005, the Planning Commission recommended 8-1 against a similar proposal. It was eventually narrowly approved by the City Council before Mayor Coleen Seng vetoed it in December of that year.

But this time, Whitehead Oil spent months working with the Planning Department and mayor’s office to overcome potential objections.

Among changes to the plan were limiting access to the site to only K and L streets, eliminating a proposed car wash, limiting the signs and agreeing to pay for installation of a pedestrian signal at 22nd and K if the Public Works Department deems it necessary.

Concerns about students from nearby Lincoln High walking to the site across busy K Street was one of the reasons the development was denied the first time around.

“I want to thank the applicant for the changes he has made,” said Eugene Carroll, the Planning Commission’s chairman.

One potential pitfall still remains for the project, though.

Whitehead is seeking a special permit to sell alcohol, and a public hearing on that request is scheduled for the July 16 meeting of the Planning Commission.

The issue will ultimately be decided by the City Council, which in 2005 approved the project only on the condition the store not be allowed to sell alcohol.

In other business Wednesday, the commission voted 5-3 to recommend against a plan that would allow  144 more apartments at the Chateau La Fleur apartments at 61st and Vine.

Commissioners said they felt the request would add too much density to the area, which already has nearly 800 apartments.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.