LYNN — Plans to add a drive-through to a Dunkin’ Donuts on Lewis Street are proceeding, but not everyone is pleased.
Citing the traffic congestion that already occurs in the establishment’s small parking lot, those opposed to the proposal say adding a drive-through to that particular Dunkin’ is not appropriate.
“I just don’t think it’s conducive,” said City Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre. “There’s not enough space on that lot.”
With the proximity of the 116-116A Lewis Street Dunkin Donuts’ to Brickett Elementary School, LaPierre said adding a drive-through will exacerbate the high volume of traffic that is already seen between the morning coffee rush and school drop-off, which occur at the same time.
“This is a recipe for a huge tragedy in the making,” said LaPierre. “I would plead to the owners of this Dunkin’ Donuts to really reassess the idea of a drive-through at this location at this time.
“It’s already a danger in my opinion because of that congested parking lot, but when you compound it with a drive-through, you’re just asking for a tragedy.”
However, Sam Vitali, the attorney representing Dunkin’ Donuts, said much of the opposition to the proposal, which includes at least three city councilors (LaPierre, Darren Cyr and Brian Field) and several neighbors, has come before opponents have viewed the revised plans for the drive-through.
Initially, Vitali’s client was seeking approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals to add a drive-through, but can now bypass that process after revising its plans to comply with the city’s zoning requirements.
“We were able to come up with a plan that satisfies all of the zoning requirements,” said Vitali. “That does not absolve the owner from going to Site Plan Review because all drive-throughs require Site Plan Review. I’m somewhat disappointed and surprised that officials were writing letters without seeing the plan.”
That plan, Vitali said, consists of knocking down the current Dunkin’ Donuts and replacing it with a new smaller building that is more set back on the property to make the space less congested.
Patrons will no longer be able to enter the new establishment, which will become a drive-through only Dunkin’ Donuts similar to the one at the Goodwin Rotary on Lynnfield Street, Vitali said.
There will be three lanes set up, which will include an express lane for people who are only planning to purchase coffee or pay with their phones, a non-express lane for people who are ordering food that needs to be prepared, and an escape lane. People who don’t drive will also be able to walk up to a separate window to order, Vitali said.
Hours will also be reduced and people will no longer be able to exit onto Basset Street, said Vitali, which he said has been part of the opposition, with neighbors expressing concern that increased traffic onto that street would impact safety in the area. Motorists will only be able to enter and exit from Lewis Street, he said.
“It will improve the flow of traffic,” said Vitali. “It will remove any vehicles (from) being parked on the lot and it will expedite people … The people who sent letters who are opposed don’t know any of that.
“In our judgment, it’s a proposal that’s in keeping with consumer demand, makes sound business sense, and ultimately is a safer proposition than what’s out there now.”
On Tuesday night, the ZBA granted a request from the petitioner to withdraw their application without prejudice, based on the determination that zoning relief was no longer needed for the drive-through.
James Lamanna, assistant city solicitor, told the ZBA that Michael Donovan, chief of the Inspectional Services Department, has reviewed the new plans and “made a determination that it complies with our zone ordinance which would eliminate the need for a variance.”
“In order to not seek a variance, they must have a plan — I have not seen it — that 10 vehicles must be in queue on site so they have put together a plan … that 10 vehicles can fit on their new configuration and that’s what our zone ordinance requires,” said Lamanna.
However, City Council President Cyr, who represents the area, is not convinced that a plan could have been devised that would allow 10 cars to fit on-site at any given time.
In late October, when the petition was first scheduled to be considered by the ZBA, Cyr requested that the matter be tabled until a neighborhood meeting could be held.
Now that the variance is no longer needed, as the new plans comply with the city’s zoning ordinance, Cyr said the meeting was never held.
He disagrees with the determination that deemed ZBA approval unnecessary, saying that he does not think Dunkin’ has a “by-right” to add the drive-through and believes there should be neighborhood input.
The neighbors will have a say, Cyr said, noting that there will be a public hearing when “all the facts are on the table.”
“From a business standpoint, it makes sense to do what Dunkin’ Donuts wants to do there, but I’m not sure it makes sense for the neighborhood,” said Cyr.
“There’s a possibility of creating two lanes, but you can’t tell me it’s not going to move traffic out onto Lewis Street and create a traffic issue. God forbid, if a little kid gets hurt crossing the street — I think they need to go back to the drawing board.”
