Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Assoc. points out changes in the 93 Main St. Dunkin’ Donuts plan. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The Planning Board approved the special permit and site plan for a new Dunkin’ Donuts to be built at the site of an already existing Dunkin’ at 93 Main St.
The existing building would be razed and a new restaurant built on the same parcel.
The plan includes overflow parking in the parking lot at 4 Taylor St.
Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Assoc. presented the plan on behalf of Emanuel “Manny” Sardinha of Sao Joao Realty, owner of both the liquor store at 95 Main St. and the Dunkin’ Donuts at 93 Main St.
According to the special permit application, the existing Dunkin’ Donuts will be demolished and the new 2,100 square-foot restaurant will have a drive-thru, multiple entrances, state-of-the-art equipment and will be handicap accessible. The liquor store at 95 Main St. will remain the same, although during the meeting on Jan. 7, Sardinha said he plans to upgrade the façade.
A previous plan submitted in March of 2019 had the Dunkin’ renovating and moving into the building at 95 Main St. Sardinha said that he has an agreement to purchase the property at 93 Main St. from the Amanti family, and both businesses would remain.
The drive-thru aisle for the restaurant will be between the two parcels, with access on Taylor St. and Main St. The previous plan had access to the drive-thru from both Taylor and State streets.
Abutter Ann Murphy asked the Planning Board to add conditions to mitigate noise, traffic and light for residents. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Ann Murphy of 7 State St. asked the Planning Board to consider the residents that live nearby and place conditions to mitigate noise, traffic and light impact of the plans. She asked if it would be possible to monitor the noise level of the speaker for the drive-thru, and to prevent trash pickup between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Murphy also asked whether an 8-foot fence could be erected rather than the existing 6-foot fence.
Sardinha responded that he would take care of the dumpster pick-up. He said he had called the company about the pickup hours at the Dunkin’ Donuts, but that it must have been the pick-up next door that is continuing. He said it’s the same company, and he would call the next day.
Levesque said he would plant Arbor Vitae in front of the fence to add height. He also said there is volume control on the speakers. The Planning Board requested that light shields be placed on lights in the direction of the residential neighborhood.
Cynthia Murphy of 7 State St. asked that the neighbors be notified when construction would take place, adding that she has severe allergies and would make other plans. Levesque responded that typically during construction abutters are not required to be notified. However, he said he expected the entire project to be completed within four months, at a maximum.
Following the meeting, Sardinha said he anticipated demolition and construction of the new restaurant would begin mid-summer.
