Dunkin' Donuts Site Plan Has Holes, Needs Changes

Dunkin' Donuts' preliminary site plans didn't quite meet the expectations of on Monday evening.

While the purpose of Monday's meeting was to discuss what the company had so far, Commission President Marc Cohen said they still needed to see plans for parking, lighting and landscaping to make a proper recommendation based on what’s required.

“I don’t believe what’s here meets our comprehensive plan,” Cohen said.

a 2,200 square-foot building for the chain and another 2,800 square-foot building beside it at 2573 E. Aurora Rd.

The city wants to work with the franchise to meet the requirements of the commercial district where the property is.

Cohen had concerns over traffic flow, namely how the driveway wraps around the front of the property. He doesn’t think it’s pedestrian-friendly.

“I would like to see a Dunkin' Donuts in the city of Twinsburg, but based on what I see I couldn’t vote for what’s been submitted tonight,” Cohen said.

Some discussion was based around how to effectively manage drive-thru traffic to ensure it does not back up onto State Route 82.

The plan included a driveway coming around the front of the building, but isn't what the city is looking for.

Franchisee Robert Branca, Jr. said he would be happy to try to re-work the plans in a way that would please the planning commission.

"We like Twinsburg,” Branca, Jr. said. “We see great promise in the people and property here.”

From a point of aesthetics, the building would blend in pretty well with its surrounding properties.

“We are going for a more residential look,” Elizabeth Eaken, from David Sommers and Associates said.

“We don’t want to have that fast-food-franchise, cookie-cutter look going all the way to the square,” Planning Director Larry Finch said.

Another concern was keeping traffic out of the property keeping right turn only. Finch said while many places keep that exit, many people cheat and turn left anyway, causing traffic backup.

“People are people, unfortunately,” Cohen said.

Property owner Ed Kancler said he doesn’t like the idea of having two buildings on one parcel of property.  He also had a problem with the dumpsters being placed within 20 feet of adjacent residential property. 

“I want it done right so the residential property is protected to the fullest extent of the law,” Kancler.

Cohen said that many of those concerns should be alleviated once the comprehensive site plans are submitted.

Branca said they are also building Dunkin' Donuts franchises in Macedonia and Aurora.