Dunkin' Donuts site plan hearing continued after truck‑delivery safety and queuing concerns

Town planning staff reviewed a revised Dunkin' Donuts site plan and demonstrated vehicle turning arcs for delivery trucks, prompting questions from council members about on‑site delivery access, the size of delivery vehicles and the safety of delivery persons walking through the parking lot.

Staff said the revised plan shows sufficient on‑site loading and a drive‑through queue capacity the applicant claims meets requirements (12 required; plan shows 14). But council members and staff noted recent off‑site deliveries on Middle Country Road — including a resident photo of a 48‑foot trailer — and said deliveries must occur on site under Town restrictions. Staff warned the town would pursue enforcement if deliveries occur off site.

Board members discussed several operational points: restricting parking on the road where truck turns are tight, maintaining the northern residential buffer (which the applicant restored in a resubmission), and whether the town can regulate the class or size of delivery vehicle (staff said the town could not impose limitations on vehicle type for deliveries to a private business). Council members also raised safety concerns about drivers or delivery workers walking through traffic and customers queuing while a delivery is being made.

After discussion, the board continued the hearing to a future meeting (work session discussion indicated the hearing would continue Tuesday) so staff can review revised plans and truck turning simulations, and so the applicant can work on parking, queueing and delivery routing.