Staff issues conditional approval for Dunkin' drive‑thru at 5300 Coconut Creek Parkway

Senior Planner Andrew Penny told the Development Review Committee that staff would give the applicant conditional approval to move the site plan for a drive‑thru coffee and donut shop at 5300 Coconut Creek Parkway forward to Planning & Zoning.

"I would plan to give you a conditional approval," Andrew Penny said, adding the applicant could bring outstanding markups to the public hearings or resolve them beforehand. Penny said the conditional approval would allow the team to schedule the Planning & Zoning hearing while unresolved items are completed before issuing permits.

The committee emphasized the procedural next steps: the applicant must mail notices and post public‑hearing signs about two weeks before the P&Z meeting; staff said the mailing list will include property owners within 1,500 feet. Penny explained that some items — notably a sign variance for any electronic menu or message center — would be processed separately at the Board of Adjustment if the applicant chooses to pursue digital signage.

Applicant Mike Patel said he has a landlord deadline in May and that delays have already imposed costs. "I've already lost, you know, money just trying to get, you know, approved," Patel said, asking staff for options to avoid a missed lease window. Staff and consultants discussed timing; Penny said P&Z was likely to be scheduled for April 7, followed by a commission hearing in early May depending on notice timing.

Staff made clear the conditional approval is subject to resolving DRC comments before building permits are issued. The applicant may bring a sign‑waiver application to the Board of Adjustment concurrently or after the commission hearing.