Swampscott Town Meeting drive-through vote may scrap Dunkin’ Donuts deal

SWAMPSCOTT – A recent Town Meeting vote could jeopardize a deal that was in the works between Centercorp Retail Properties Inc. and Dunkin’ Donuts.The building is already going up at the former home of Paradise Cleaners at 980 Paradise Road.Centercorp Retail Properties Inc. owns the property, which is located next to Uno’s Chicago Grill.In earlier interviews Andrew Rose, who is one of the principals with Centercorp, said the 6,200 square foot building would house a T-Mobile, Dunkin’ Donuts and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.But Attorney William DiMento, who represents Centercorp Retail properties Inc., said when Town Meeting did not pass a zoning change it could kill the deal. The zoning change would have allowed drive-thru windows in the Vinnin Square area if the business received a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.”It was pretty much a done deal,” he said. “But Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t want to come in if it can’t have a drive-thru window. We’re trying to convince them to come in anyway but it’s really up in the air.”DiMento said some of the selectmen are to blame for the defeat of the article, which Chairman Anthony Scibelli has criticized publically at several selectmen meetings.”(Selectman Anthony) Scibelli thinks Swampscott is too good to have a window people could drive up to and get their coffee,” he said. “It’s elitism. He (Scibelli) said if we let Dunkin’ Donuts get a drive-thru we’d get a McDonald’s next. I can’t believe this town is opposing new revenue sources.”Scibelli said elitism has nothing to do with his opposition to changing the zoning bylaw.”I believe this would alter Vinnin Square and not in a positive way,” Scibelli said. “A drive-thru is valuable for any restaurant. Once you’ve allowed one restaurant a drive-thru in a district by special permit it makes it easier for others to come in.”Scibelli went on to say he believes it is a mistake to address zoning bylaws one by one.”This is something the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee is looking at,” he said. “It needs to be an informed and transparent process with opportunities for public input, not a change made for the sake of one business. At the end of the day I respect the judgment and wisdom of Town Meeting and will respect any decision made by Town Meeting.”