Milton planners give final approval to site plans for Dunkin’, Milton Theatre
The Milton Planning and Zoning Commission gave unanimous final site-plan approval to Dunkin’ Donuts and Milton Theatre Oct. 21, allowing both to move forward with their respective construction plans.
In both cases, the approvals were conditioned on the respective entities receiving final approval from Sussex Conservation District and final approval for variances from the Milton Board of Adjustment. The board of adjustment approvals are in the form of written resolutions expected to be formally passed Tuesday, Oct. 28; the board has already given verbal approval in both cases. Dunkin’ is proposing a 2,860-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru on a commercial lot in front of the Cypress Grove development on Route 16. The lot was partitioned by town council in November. The restaurant would have 38 parking spaces and would be accessed from Route 16, with motorists turning onto Grove Circle, which services the interior lots of the development.
The final site-plan approval for Dunkin’ was held up due to needing a variance from town code that requires at least 60 feet between a fast-food drive-thru service window and either a public right-of-way or interior drive aisles. However, because of the lot size and building design, Dunkin’ can only have 32 feet. Dunkin’ will be located next to another national chain, Dairy Queen, and the two restaurants will share the same drive aisle.
In its voice vote on the variance, the board determined that the variance was warranted, that changing plans to comply with code would create an unnecessary hardship or difficulty, and that the use is not detrimental to the community.
Dunkin’s preliminary site plans were approved by planning and zoning in January.
Meanwhile, Milton Theatre’s final approval paves the way for a 2,850-square-foot addition that will house the theater’s new education wing, which will contain new rehearsal spaces, green rooms and offices, as well as new bathrooms. The $3 million addition is Phase 2 of a large renovation project to the more than 100-year-old theater, with Phase 1 being the balcony restoration finished in 2023.
Demolition work on the site has already begun and construction is due to begin once planning and zoning’s conditions are met. The theater plans to complete the project by late summer of 2026.
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
