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Planning commission gives preliminary approval to Dunkin' at Wheatley Road; village, AMVETS to coordinate access
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission granted preliminary approval April 14 for a 1,735 sq. ft. Dunkin' with drive-thru at 3974 Wheatley Road, subject to fire-lane/egress and architectural refinements and with a planned memorandum of understanding to establish a permanent public road in coordination with AMVETS.
The Village of Richfield Planning & Zoning Commission on April 14 granted preliminary approval for a Dunkin' restaurant at 3974 Wheatley Road, with the applicants and village staff directed to resolve fire-department access details, finalize architectural details and proceed toward a formal memorandum of understanding for a new public access road tied to the AMVETS parcel.
Planning Director Brian Frantz said the Village has executed purchase-and-sale and development agreements for the Crossroads District parcel and that a temporary marginal driveway serving AMVETS will be removed; the Village law director prepared a draft MOU to guide construction of a public road when broader Crossroads development occurs.
Applicants Ken Knuckles (Development Management Group) and David Skidmore (Inspire Company Restaurants) presented site plans for a 1,735-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru oriented toward Wheatley Road. Village Architect Scott Wallenhorst recommended several design refinements including reducing the height of the entry tower, aligning masonry coursing, and considering awnings to reduce visual massing; the applicants said they will return with revised elevations and color samples for village records.
Fire Chief George Seifert's memo asked that the north exit-only driveway and the one-way north drive be widened to 18 feet to serve as emergency access, requested a rear or east-side emergency exit or protective bollards in front parking spots if a rear exit is not provided, and asked for complete construction and hood suppression drawings. "I would like to see an emergency exit at the rear or East side of the store," the memo states.
Frantz reported no outstanding concerns from the Police Chief or Service Director. Commissioner Denise Ready moved to approve Case 14-2026 "subject to all comments made by the architect, fire and staff during the meeting today," Dan Holahan seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The applicants said they plan to return for final plan approval at the July 14 Planning Commission meeting with revised plans addressing the comments.
The approval preserves the village consultants' and chiefs' ability to require final construction details prior to building permits, and it ties sidewalk, driveway and traffic movements to future Crossroads District infrastructure improvements.
