Board OKs Dunkin' Donuts Expansion

The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously agreed last night to grant a variance that would allow to add a second drive-through lane.

The move would help reduce traffic on Worcester Street by keeping more vehicles on the property and off the street, attorney Peter F. Keenan Jr. said. He represents Brian and Michael Marino, the owners of the Grafton location.

The Grafton site has one of the largest drive-through queues among all Worcester County Dunkin’ Donuts, Keenan said.

“They recognize the problem, and they’re going to be spending significant amounts of money’’ to alleviate it, he said

The second floor of the additional drive-through building would be used as a conference room and training area, Keenan said.

Board member Elias Hanna said the traffic back-up is “a huge issue in town’’ and raises safety concerns.

Selectman Brook Padgett supported the move, which he said will ease traffic issues. Right now, he said, Worcester Street traffic can back up from Stop & Shop to the area near Dunkin’ Donuts.

John LaPoint, a member of the Economic Development Commission, raised concerns about the location of the crosswalk near the Forest Lane apartments, which are adjacent to the Dunkin’ Donuts site.

“The crosswalk is in a very unsafe position right now,’’ he said. He suggested talking to residents of Forest Lane and the police chief and maybe “making some modifications.’’

The Planning Board would consider those issues when the project comes before them, board members said.