Taco Bell Petition Gains Traction

A Montara resident is asking the public to sign a petition "Taco Bell Corporation: Do not open a store in Half Moon Bay" on change.org, a non-partisan organization that offers anyone the tools to post petitions on a grassroots level for a cause or campaign.

Lisa Gilmour writes reasons why Taco Bell should not open in Half Moon Bay on the petition's webpage: "#1 Cheap, processed fast food - which will now be conveniently located within walking distance from our high school - is not helping our teen's weight problems. #2 This Taco Bell will be in direct competition with an authentic local taqueria which has been operating in this location for almost 20 years. #3 There are already four fast food chains in the same .25 mile radius in a small community of 11,000."

A letter addressed to the Taco Bell Corporation can also be found on the change.org petition page:

To: 
Taco Bell Corporation, http://www.tacobell.com/portal/site/tacobell/account/template.CONTACT_US
Please do not open a Taco Bell in Half Moon Bay. It is an unhealthy option that is too close to the high school, competes directly with local business, and Half Moon Bay already has too many fast food chains. 
Sincerely, 
[Your name]

When the petition first posted Wednesday morning, it had 38 supporters within the first hour, and Facebook posts among Coastside friends viraltized the issue even more. It has also generated many comments from people in the community giving reasons for signing. There are also many residents commenting on Half Moon Bay Facebook's page about why they are not signing the petition.

Taco Bell is the latest among more than 70 Taco Bell restaurants owned and managed by Pleasanton company Dolan Foster Enterprises. The company owns restaurants in Pacifica and Santa Cruz and plans to open the Half Moon Bay branch this month.

City planners have approved building permits for the Taco Bell and the City will grant Taco Bell a business license after the owners undergo inspections and pay the fees.

What do you think of Taco Bell opening in Half Moon Bay?