Milton board OKs Dunkin’ Donuts variance

A proposed Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Milton got one step closer to becoming a reality after the town’s board of adjustment unanimously granted a variance from code requirements for the distance between the service window and a public right-of-way.

Dunkin’s appearance at the board’s Sept. 23 meeting was necessary because town code 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. 

Town Project Coordinator Tom Quass said the Dunkin’ is proposed to be right next to a proposed Dairy Queen, and both will be using the same drive aisle.

Brock Parker, representing Dunkin’, said due to site constraints, the company did not have much choice as to how the restaurant would be oriented. He said the building needed to be far enough off Route 16 to allow room for people to leave the drive-thru without immediately being on the highway. Parker said the drive-thru accesses a separate road that will take cars out of the parcel to Route 16. 

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. 

In its vote, 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. The board’s vote is preliminary, with written final approval expected at the board’s Tuesday, Oct. 28 meeting.