No Slam Dunk for Donut Shop Proposal

An attorney for the developer of a proposed Dunkin Donuts retail center at the "triangle" of Route 59, Oak and Arnold Streets said his client did everything he could to address concerns the project caused residents and village planners — but it wasn't enough to convince the village board on Monday night.

A motion to direct the village attorney to draft an ordinance to rezone the property from residential to business failed for lack of a second. The failed motion meant trustees did not vote on requests for a special use permit for the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru and site plan approval.

"If this doesn't develop in this fashion, it's not going to develop," attorney Mike Martin, who represents Lee Fry Companies, told the board. "It's going to sit there."

The proposal called for the 4,400-square-foot "Triangle Shoppes" retail center with a Dunkin Donuts, including a drive-thru, plus two other storefronts. 

The project drew criticism from residents, who sounded off at meetings and via the village's Vision for Division website, citing concerns about traffic and safety for residents and children at a nearby school and bus stop.

In April, the developer asked that the proposal be remanded back to the plan commission so changes could be made to address residents' concerns. A revised proposal went to the commission on May 20, and commissioners recommended the village board approve the amended plan.

On Monday, Village Planner Michael Garrigan said the biggest change was the removal of an access point on Arnold Street and a full entrance/exit on Oak Street.

The developer also agreed to place additional landscaping on Arnold Street to address concerns.

"The general configuration of the site itself has not dramatically changed," Garrigan said.

Martin, who pointed out that the development would be situated just south of the Walgreens, said other changes include the addition of arched windows and architectural elements to mirror that seen in other areas of the village.

Martin also said a local business man, who has operated similar businesses successfully, was prepared to to purchase the Dunkin Donuts.

Trustee Margie Bonuchi said while she liked the design, she thinks the location is all wrong for the development.

"I have very serious concerns with the layout of the homes," Bonuchi said, adding the development's location near Arnold Street — a narrow residential street — is a bad fit.

"This is the wrong spot for this facility and drive-thru," Bonuchi said. While the "Vision for Division" identifies the area as having a future as a business transition district (BTD) with homes converted to businesses, that's not the current reality, she said.

"It's too residential and too small for this type of facility," Bonuchi said. "It is supposed to be BTD, but it isn't today ... I cannot support this in this location," she added, saying the development would be a "traffic nightmare."

Trustee Paul Fay urged the developers to keep the entrance on Arnold and forego the one on Oak Street.

"There is a very short stretch between Arnold Street turning right off Route 59 onto Oak Street," Fay said. "[Drivers] won't see [the entrance] until they're right on top of it." 

He said the current plan creates safety hazards.

Trustee Bill Lamb, who made the motion to draft the rezoning ordinance, supported the plan.

"I'd like to see something go there that fits and looks attractive to the community," he said. "I think this could be an asset."

Martin declined to comment on the board's failure to approve the resolution.

Related:

• Should Dunkin Donuts Come to Downtown Plainfield?
  
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