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Planning board continues Dunkin’ Donuts–adjacent apartment proposal after neighbor concerns and engineering referrals
Summary
The board continued review of JJEC Development’s plan for up to a dozen apartments at the Dunkin’ Donuts property on Sandwich Road, asking the applicant to address engineering comments, landscaping, and neighbor buffering before the January 28 meeting.
The Planning Board on Jan. 14 continued consideration of a site-plan application from JJEC Development LLC (Cadet Enterprises) to add apartments adjacent to its Dunkin' Donuts property on Sandwich Road, directing the applicant to address engineering referrals, landscaping and buffer concerns before the board’s Jan. 28 meeting.
Attorney for JJEC, speaking for the applicant, introduced the proposal as a site-plan review for a small rental development on a property the owner operates. The application materials filed with the board described an 11-unit development formed by three single-story structures with two-bedroom apartments; at one point in discussion the applicant’s representative referred to 10 units, a discrepancy the applicant acknowledged and agreed to clarify in filings. The project drawings show covered tenant storage areas, a fenced play area, and new landscaping; the applicant told the board each unit would provide two parking spaces and that current Dunkin’ Donuts operations would remain under the same ownership.
The board and staff pressed technical points. Planning staff and engineering asked for clarified calculations for stormwater and parking circulation, and asked whether the denitrification (nitrogen-reducing) septic design would incorporate the existing Dunkin’ Donuts flows; the applicant said the project will install a denitrification system and connect the Dunkin’ Donuts flows to it, saying that will reduce nitrogen loading compared with the present septic layout. The applicant also described the added cost of denitrification systems and said the owner must balance affordability and project feasibility.
Neighbors raised concerns about the proximity of the driveway and parking to backyards, noise and early-morning servicing (trash pickup), lighting, the size and placement of the play area and the location of dumpsters. Abutters asked for additional screening and for the board to consider noise abatement measures; several requested a larger evergreen buffer along the fence line and reconsideration of the play area footprint so fewer trees would be removed.
Applicants agreed to revise the landscape plan and to meet with planning staff about engineering referrals; board members suggested prioritizing neighbor buffers rather than town-side street improvements such as extending a sidewalk to the north. The board continued the matter to Jan. 28 to allow the applicant to respond to engineering and landscaping questions and to supply requested permit materials.
The continuation preserves the public-comment record and gives the applicant time to submit revised plans addressing engineering, stormwater and neighbor buffering.
