Planning commission approves Dunkin' Donuts site plan at 515 Chicago St with technical contingencies

The Coldwater Planning Commission voted to approve Public Hearing SUP26-09, allowing Dunkin' Donuts to occupy part of the former Advanced Auto Parts building at 515 Chicago St, contingent on revisions to address drainage, parking and tree-preservation concerns.

Planning staff told the commission the project uses an existing structure and presents few major issues, but flagged several technical items that must be resolved before final administrative approval. “They were at a 100% capacity for drainage. They need to be at a 150,” the staff member said, urging the applicant to coordinate with the city engineer on stormwater retention and on a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.

Matt Cole, the project's civil engineer with Rosine & Associates, described the plan to subdivide the building and add a drive‑through window at the west side. “We have an existing auto parts store, which we want to utilize probably a third of it for a Dunkin' Donuts,” Cole said, and added the team will expand parking to the north and install an above‑ground basin to handle stormwater from the new lot.

Commissioners and members of the public raised traffic and sight‑line concerns related to the proposed drive‑through and the site's unusual access from Highway 12 and adjacent shared access drives. A resident warned that eastbound traffic on Highway 12 may try to turn into the site and create left‑turn conflicts; the engineer said a no‑left‑turn sign and pavement markings could be added to discourage dangerous maneuvers.

Staff recommended, and the commission attached, conditions requiring: a revised site plan showing compliance with ADA standards and a minimum nine‑foot parking stall width; a tree‑preservation/removal schedule or compensating plantings; clarified vehicle and pedestrian circulation with directional signage directing exiting traffic toward Teeter Drive; approval from the city engineer for stormwater management; and a revised soil erosion and sedimentation control plan. The commission also asked that building‑inspection items suggested by the BPU and other departments be addressed prior to final sign‑off.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendations with the contingencies; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Next steps: staff will work with the applicant to resolve the technical items, and administrative approval will follow once the plan revisions meet the listed conditions.