Local pressure spurs a late-breaking redesign of the island fast-food eatery.

McDonald’s toned down proposals for an exterior redesign of its island eatery, according to updated plans submitted to the city Friday.

“Our design is intended to do exactly what he community is saying it wants – which is a blending with the existing buildings in the neighborhood shopping center” said Karen McKay, marketing director for Peninsula McDonald’s Restaurants.

The fast-food restaurant was built 16 years ago at the intersection of State Route 305 and High School Road amid strong opposition from island activists who feared increased traffic, litter and the corporate franchise’s impact on the local economy.

Recent remodel plans, as reported in Saturday’s Review, called for towering golden arches and a large marquee sign topping a brightly colored façade.

The city planning department had vetoed significant portions of the plan, while some residents and members of the Association of Bainbridge said the proposals were an affront to earlier agreements limiting the restaurant’s design.

The new design, submitted to the city after press time Friday afternoon, excluded many of the more dramatic architectural features for a scaled-back look with subdued colors.

The design retains earlier proposals for copper-colored metal roofing and an aluminum cornice strip.

Local critics seem to have had an impact, said the the restaurant’s designer Randy Hedrick of the Lacey-based I-5 Design and Manufacture.

“There may have been a little community pressure,” he said. “But we try to flow with it.”

ABC member Charles Schmid welcomed some of the changes but urged McDonald’s to honor guidelines established in the late 1980s, when the restaurant participated in community discussions prior to construction.

“The design’s a lot better,” Schmid said. “I’m glad (McDonald’s) is being respectful of citizens’ concerns. I hope their plan is sent to the (city) Design Review Committee so it meets the original conditions.”

According to Schmid, the restaurant is required to use cedar roof shingles and cedar siding.

But Hedrick said the use of steel and aluminum matches construction materials used at a nearby bank and hardware store.

He also stressed that cedar shingles could pose a fire hazard.

“There’s a concern about chimney fires,” he said. “Using wood shakes, you’re just asking for trouble.”

Bainbridge city planners expect to make a final administrative decision on McDonald’s permit application Thursday.