Despite hearing pushback from residents, members of the Fair Haven Planning Board have approved an application that proposed the opening of a Dunkin’ Donuts shop in a retail plaza at 560 River Road.
The applicant, Fair Haven Retail, was seeking classification as an “exempt development” for amended preliminary and final major site plan approval to permit a change of use for the tenancy, which formerly operated as Laird’s Stationary Store.
Dunkin’ Donuts is permitted and will operate in a 2,000-square-foot tenant location on the northeast side of the property facing River Road. There will not be a drive-up window or an exterior takeout window.
During the board’s consideration of the application, residents asserted that fast food establishments of any kind are prohibited in Fair Haven and voiced their displeasure with the idea of such an establishment in town. The residents described Fair Haven as pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing cited concerns with pedestrian and cyclist safety, traffic, the safety of children walking to and from school, and teenagers crossing River Road to get to and from Dunkin’ Donuts.
During a meeting on Aug. 20, the board’s chairman, Todd Lehder, said the legal firm Dolan & Dean was hired to provide board members with additional analysis in regard to parking and traffic at the shopping center.
Regarding parking, attorney Betsy Dolan suggested that the shopping center’s eastern driveway onto River Road serve as an exit only. She suggested that only right turns onto River Road should be permitted from that drivway.
The shopping center has two driveways that lead to River Road.
Prohibiting left turns out of the eastern driveway onto River Road would help prevent cars from queuing inside the shopping center, Dolan said.
She explained that left turns onto River Road are more difficult than right turns because a motorist must cross two lanes of traffic when turning left and the movement could cause delays.
Dolan recommended a pedestrian crosswalk and safety railing be placed near the Dunkin’ Donuts entrance. Striping for “no parking” near the shop would help deter motorists from illegally parking outside of a designated parking stall, she said.
“This seems to be a site that is functioning fine. We are looking to tweak a couple of things to make sure (the site) operates as best as it can for pedestrians and drivers, with consideration of this busy morning use,” Dolan explained.
Traffic engineer Karl Pehnke, who represents the applicant, said the site plan was amended to accommodate some of Dolan’s recommendations. He said the eastern driveway would be designated as an exit only onto River Road. However, he said left and right turns should be permitted from that driveway.
“We differ in our opinion to make the driveway right turn only,” as Dolan suggested, Pehnke said, explaining that motorists could disobey a right turn only sign and turn left onto River Road.
Pehnke also discussed creating a pedestrian safety railing and a pedestrian refuge island, which is defined as a small section of pavement or sidewalk surrounded by asphalt where pedestrians can stop before they finish crossing a road.
“I think the plan we submitted with a couple of adjustments … really address a lot of the (concerns) we have been hearing,” Pehnke said.
Attorney Michael Bruno, who represents the applicant, announced that the applicant would consider additional modifications.
Bruno said the applicant would create a new pedestrian crosswalk; extend a pedestrian safety railing; and provide striping at the corner of the property to deter vehicles from illegally parking in front of Dunkin’ Donuts.
Following the testimony, objectors to the application were given the opportunity to question Bruno, Pehnke and Dolan.
Attorney Ron Gasiorowski, who represents resident Andrew Reger, briefly cross-examined Pehnke about the current and future traffic conditions at the shopping center.
Next, professional planner Michael Simpson, who was hired by resident Tracy Cole, posed questions about traffic and safety to Bruno, Pehnke and Dolan.
Following public comment from several residents who expressed displeasure with the application, a motion was made to approve the Dunkin’ Donuts application.
Voting “yes” were Dave Bordelon, Michael Borneo, William Folker, James Ingle, James Newell, Andrew Sobel, Frederick Rolff and Michael Criscola.
Lehder and Councilwoman Elizabeth Koch, who sits on the board, voted “no.”
In an interview after the meeting, Cole said Fair Haven, a 1.5-square-mile community, does not provide bus transportation for students going to and from the town’s two schools. She said most students walk or ride a bicycle to school.
“What T-Rex is to dinosaurs, Dunkin’ Donuts is to fast food restaurants,” Cole said, explaining that the donut shop is the “apex predator” and could pave way for additional fast food establishments in the borough.