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Contested Dunkin' drive‑through approvals advance after debate over traffic, environment and zoning
Summary
The board advanced four related zoning and special‑use items to allow a relocated Dunkin' with a 10‑vehicle on‑site drive‑through at 8357 Skokie Boulevard. Staff and the petitioner said the design contains circulation and screening; residents and some trustees warned the site is better suited for transit‑oriented development and raised traffic and air‑quality concerns. First readings passed with several trustees voting Nay on some items; second readings are required.
Staff and planning commissioners presented a package of four related cases to permit a renovated Dunkin' at 8357 Skokie Boulevard with an on‑site drive‑through stacked for 10 vehicles. The petitioner, a Panjwani family franchisee operator, said the proposal relocates and reconfigures an existing store into the former 7‑Eleven site to provide a safer circulation loop and to keep all stacking on site. Staff described standard village conditions including restricted left‑turn signage during peak hours and hours of operation from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Trustee Gail Schechter and several residents expressed strong reservations. Schechter pointed to the village’s sustainability plan language encouraging conversion of underutilized paved areas to green space and asked why the intersection had become the site of another drive‑through rather than a mixed‑use, transit‑oriented development. Commenters warned of increased traffic at an already busy intersection and cited local health and environmental concerns tied to idling vehicles at drive‑through facilities.
Staff said multiple iterations and traffic engineering review led them to conclude the proposed circulation pattern is safe and that the site is designed to contain vehicle movement on site. The petitioner said the family has operated Dunkin' locations in Skokie for decades and that the new layout meets vehicle circulation and stacking standards.
The board voted separately on each case as required for first reading and zoning amendments. While motions passed, some trustees (including Trustee Lisa Levy and Trustee Gail Schechter) registered Nays on particular items. Each item will return for second reading and final adoption at a future meeting.
