Dunkin’ Donuts Proposed for Lynnfield Street Plaza

Among a handful of special permit requests before the City Council tonight for new businesses in Peabody, is one in particular sure to spark some hot debate – similar business proposals over the past 12 years at the same location have all failed to gain enough traction.

This time, attorney John Keilty will be appearing on behalf of Lynnfield Street Donuts, Inc., to make a plea for a Dunkin’ Donuts shop at 79 Lynnfield St. The Dunkin’s would occupy a vacant unit in the plaza that used to be home to Movie Gallery.

The unit has been vacant since the store closed a few years ago before the parent company filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

The major obstacle is that the council has denied all past petitions to allow a food-service establishment in the plaza, turning away Panera Bread, Pizza Hut and a coffee shop over the years.

The longstanding argument, which has even been hotly debated amongst councilors, has been that the original special permit for the plaza rules out restaurants or eateries of any kind. The property is zoned for neighborhood business and food establishments otherwise require a special permit.

Ward 2 Councilor Arthur Athas says the language on that original document was crafted specifically to only allow six retail businesses to each operate in separate units within the plaza.

That interpretation of the conditions on the permit, however, appears open to debate. The existing special permit identifies six different uses for the property at the time of the plaza’s construction – none of them food establishments – but does not say a restaurant would not be allowed on the site.

Ironically enough, that corner of Lynnfield Street was formerly home to the Yankee Restaurant, which was torn down by the property owners to make way for the plaza. The desire for a coffee shop at that intersection, however, would seem clear – those thirsty for a cup of java have to travel a mile in either direction to find one.

Athas said part of the concern at allowing a restaurant or fast food eatery in the plaza is the potential traffic it might add to an already busy intersection.

He added that by his unofficial scorecard, car accidents have definitely increased on that stretch of Lynnfield Street since the drive-through opened at in 1998.

Keilty is before the council tonight (7:30) to seek a special permit to allow a fast food restaurant as well as extend the hours of operation for businesses within the plaza. The current restriction is 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., but Keilty is asking for 5 a.m. - midnight instead, Monday through Sunday.

According to documents filed with the city, the new coffee shop would sell bakery goods, coffee and all other non-alcoholic beverages normally found at Dunkin’ Donuts. Plans are for a total of 15 employees. It would be the ninth Dunkin’s location in Peabody.

The proposed construction work schedule is Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m., and 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.