Politics & Government
Zoning Board Gives Dunkin' Donuts Green Light
The Hellertown Zoning Hearing Board recently granted a special exception and parking variance to a franchise owner who wants to open the donut shop at 730 Main Street.
A Dunkin’ Donuts franchise is a step closer to opening in Hellertown, following the borough Zoning Hearing Board's July 20 meeting.
At the meeting, board members unanimously granted the appeal of Hellertown Doughnuts, LLC, for a special exception to allow a drive-thru restaurant.
The board also approved a variance for off street parking at 730 Main St., which is the site of a former M&T Bank branch.
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The bank, when it was open, had three drive-thru lanes to serve customers.
Raj Saraswati, one of the owners of Hellertown Doughnuts, LLC, operates Dunkin' Donuts stores on Linden Street and Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem.
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He explained that about 65 percent of his business comes from drive-thru customers, and said not as many parking spaces are needed for that reason. The current plan includes 13 parking spaces.
The architect for the project, David Keefrider of Albert Taus and Associates, told the board that the former bank building will only need minimal alterations.
A concrete island on the property will be removed, but there will be no structural damage to the building, Keefrider said.
He added that the trim of the building and the columns will be painted “traditional Dunkin’ Donuts colors,” which are brown, orange and tan.
The existing signs on the property will be changed to Dunkin’ Donuts signs and an internally-illuminated menu board will be installed so drive-thru customers can see menu items outside. Keefrider said the lighting from the signs will not shine on neighboring properties.
“I think it would be a great fit for the borough,” Mayor Richard Fluck told the board.
He said many residents have been asking him when the borough would be getting a Dunkin’ Donuts.
Dunkin' Donuts has not had a presence in the borough since a counter closed inside the former Mobil gas station next to .
Fluck also said he thinks the conversion of the bank building to a coffee shop represents an opportunity to utilize the property.
Saraswati said he plans to operate the restaurant from 4am to 11pm, seven days per week.
Although many Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru restaurants are open 24 hours a day, Saraswati said that based on his observations, there is not a lot of traffic in Hellertown between 11pm and 4am.
The plan still needs to be approved by the Hellertown Planning Commission before any work on the project can begin.
