The process of getting approval for a new Dunkin' Donut's has served to make for a better plan, project engineer Kip Finley told city planners during Tuesday's meetings, where planners eventually approved or recommended approval of a series of plans and variances allowing the project to go forward.
The proposed Dunkin will be slipped in between Barrett's Batavia Marine and Five Star Bank on West Main Street, with the cooperation and blessing of those two property owners. The three properties will share driveways in and out of the location, helping traffic flow and thereby addressing one of the recurring objections to construction of the franchise store.
Finley, working on behalf of Dunkin' Donuts and franchisee Mike Mikolajczyk, who owns the current Dunkin' in the city, at West Main and Ellicott Avenue, has been hauling elevation drawings before city and county planners since September 2014, and until Tuesday's votes hadn't received much in the way of nods of approval.
The new design fits into the current environment better, Finley said. The building will be a little more residential looking and the frontage will align with Barrett's, making it more of an urban approach to aligning storefronts.
Even so, there are still residents from nearby Redfield Parkway who object to the proposed location.
"Regardless of how good the aesthetics of the building, none of the design changes will improve its location," said Nan Zorn, a Redfield resident.
The planning committee approved the site plan review and recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals that it approve variances for the frontage, the driveways and parking.
By code, the size of the building would require 80 parking spaces, which board members agreed was a bit much.
The Burger King on West Main has 80 spaces and Finley pointed out that is way more than the drive-thru restaurant needs.
"If you go there, the front third are used, and the rest you could play basketball on," Finley said.
"There are weeds growing. It doesn't get used."
Finley's work is not done. Dunkin's new location doesn't get built if the city's ZBA doesn't approve the variances.
Stupid. Let's cram 10 pounds
Stupid. Let's cram 10 pounds of sh*t in a 5 pound bag. Don't these city "planners" realize what a cluster **** traffic is around this area? I don't think they have a brain between them. Next thing you know they'll want to put the light back up at Redfield Parkway..... but an established business owner can't change the wording on his digital sign more than once every 24 hours.......can't wait to see what traffic will be around that area when they replace the River Street bridge in the coming years....
Well that will make 2 DD's in
Well that will make 2 DD's in Batavia if approved that are a pain in the ass to get in and out of. I think the word "slipped" should be more like "crammed".
I CANNOT understand the
I CANNOT understand the fixation on this location at all. This is going to be a huge charlie foxtrot as others have observed.
Again....there are 2 other potential locations, both empty gas stations, on Main St that could be re-purposed or demolished for this proposed project. One is next to Settler's and the other is on the East end across from Miss Batavia Restaurant. Personally I favor the latter.
If this project goes forward it will be a nightmare. How could anyone in their right mind think this is a good idea??
You're unlikely to see former
You're unlikely to see former gas stations repurposed due to environmental cleanup concerns.
money vs. code and residents
money vs. code and residents ...... money wins every time...... proof is Amherst.
question, what is the purpose of a code?
David, by money do you mean
David, by money do you mean the new property taxes, the new sales taxes or the new jobs?
Maybe this is a conspiracy
Maybe this is a conspiracy plot funded by auto body shops & ambulance chasers. It's all donuts & coffee, tacos & Big Macs, until someone is maimed or killed. I bet the big sporting goods store is also behind this. I sure wouldn't want to fight for parking at Barrett's against drivers sipping on their iced mocha latte supreme.
Batavia, the new Henrietta minus true employment.
Ummmm....Jason, the point is
Ummmm....Jason, the point is moot now because the "Planning" Committee has approved this lunacy, but I'm pretty sure that the underground tanks have been removed from both those sites.
And, to Brenda's point.....yeah....parking at Barretts will be LOTS of fun. Sandwiched between 2 fast food joints.
Seriously "planning" committee???
John, yes that is what I mean
John, yes that is what I mean..... residents be damned.....
Finally some common sense
Finally some common sense from the City of Batavia. This project has been delayed far too long. It always amazes me how those unwilling to invest their own money in our community want to limit and control how others want to spend their money. OMG do some really thing they should have a say in how many donut shops we have available? If someone wants to invest and build a new one, God bless them! Very happy there are those that still want to do business in the City of Batavia. Main Street is for business development.
Well said Michael
Well said Michael
Given that the two
Given that the two surrounding property owners aren't objecting, it really isn't anyone else's business. There is nothing more ridiculous than saying that we shouldn't have increased economic activity over petty nonsense like narrow entrances. If you don't like them, don't go there.