Planning Board continues Dunkin' drive‑through reconfiguration at 248 Highland Ave to Nov. 20 for peer review

The Salem Planning Board continued a site-plan review and special-permit application from 248 Highland Ave LLC for alterations at the Dunkin' Donuts at 248 Highland Ave (Map 8, Lots 119 and 120). The applicant proposed removing one of two existing drive-through windows, consolidating to a single drive-through, relocating a walk-up window, adding five parking spaces (for a total of 11), and making internal circulation and island/striping changes.

Ian Ainsley, the applicant's engineer, described the redesign as consolidating queuing into one drive-through lane in the rear, adding employee parking near the building, and restriping internal lanes; he said the plan reduces impervious area by about 86 square feet and that some proposed work touches a strip of land in MassDOT's right-of-way, for which MassDOT approval has been requested.

Board members raised circulation and visibility questions, asked for proposed contours/proposed grading lines, and requested denser landscaping and the addition of between three and five deciduous shade trees in the islands or other on-site planting areas. The board's engineering staff said a peer review will be required; the board penciled the item for Nov. 20 to allow peer review and MassDOT comments. The applicant and site operators said the redesign aims to improve safety and reduce conflicting vehicle movements with adjacent businesses.

No vote on the plan was taken; the board continued the hearing to Nov. 20 and required the applicant to obtain peer-review comments and MassDOT clearance as needed before return.