KFC conversion at Dolson Avenue adjourned after neighbor objects to proposed use of shared parking

The Planning Board on Aug. 6 adjourned an application to convert the former Dunkin' Donuts at 140–142 Dolson Avenue into a KFC after a nearby property owner said parts of the applicant's site plan indicated use of parking on land the neighbor owns.

Paul Ashworth, the architect representing Coats of Middletown LLC, presented a site plan showing drive-through circulation, ordering points and utilities and said the conversion was largely an interior renovation. Ariel Jacobov, representing Middletown Plaza Holdings and a neighboring parcel owner, told the board the site plan depicted additional parking and an ordering board on Middletown Plaza Holdings property and said the applicant holds only an access easement, not a parking easement. Jacobov told the board the applicant cannot place new parking or equipment on his parcel.

After the objection the applicant's representative said his client would withdraw the application or preferred to adjourn to resolve the dispute. The board took a motion to adjourn the application for future consideration and left the public hearing open. Board members voted by roll call to adjourn the matter; the motion carried.

A board member advised the applicant to meet with the neighbor and to revise the site plan so that all improvements are shown only on land the applicant controls or with documented permission from the neighbor. The board noted that if the applicant reaches agreement with the neighbor, the applicant may be able to reactivate the application without reapplying and incurring new fees, but the planning department advised applicants to coordinate revisions in writing.

The public hearing remains open and the matter will return to the board when the applicant either resolves the ownership/parking question or submits a revised plan.