Harvard Law School Board of Student Advisors, with refinements by Guhan Subramanian and Melissa Manwaring
Two-team, multi-issue negotiation between representatives of a restaurant conglomerate and a neighborhood organization over zoning requirements for a possible fast-food restaurant in a historic university neighborhood
SCENARIO:
The City of Lamebridge in the State of Ames is well known for its two major universities, political activism, and controversial city ordinances – such as the one banning “fast-food restaurants” from certain commercially zoned areas. This ordinance was enacted in response to tremendous pressure from a community organization called “Save Our Square” (SOS), whose mission is to preserve the character and sanctity of certain parts of Lamebridge, and especially the world-renowned Harkness Square.
For some time, McMillin's Corporation, which operates the largest fast-food chain in the world, has sought permission from the Lamebridge Zoning Commission to build a McMillin's fast-food restaurant in Harkness Square. The zoning commission has repeatedly refused McMillin's requests, largely because of pressure from SOS. McMillin's has now threatened to sue the zoning commission for a regulatory taking.
As a last-ditch effort to avoid litigation, and at the urging of the Lamebridge City Council, representatives of McMillin's and SOS have agreed to meet to try to strike a deal. The major issues to be negotiated are:
- Aesthetic considerations including the type and color of bricks used to construct the restaurant and the size of the location of McMillin's trademark "platinum M";
- Traffic congestion and parking problems;
- Safety concerns, such as the possibility of attracting loiterers;
- Predatory pricing, which could drive local restaurants out of business; and
- Worker's rights, including compensation and age minimums
Participants materials include:
- General instructions
Confidential instructions for:
- Spokesperson(s) for Save Our Square (SOS)
- Spokesperson(s) for McMillin's Corporation
Teacher's package includes:
- All of the above
McMillin - SOS Attributes
| Time required: | 2-3 hours |
|---|---|
| Number of participants: | 2 |
| Teams involved: | Yes |
| Agent present: | Lawyer |
| Neutral third party present: | None |
| Scoreable: | No |
| Teaching notes available: | No |
