The Village Planning Board reviewed and evaluated the blueprints and plan for a proposed Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant at 20 West Main Street, the former M&T Bank building. Documents related to the proposal were submitted by BAPA West 20 Main Street Real Estate, LLC.
While Planning Board members were enthusiastic about the prospect of a new business coming to the Village, some raised questions about parking, safety and traffic flow. Board member Stephanie Nick expressed concern about the safety of children and pedestrians in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Board member Jim Cusimano asked about parking for the proposed drive-thru location and expected traffic.
“Look at the Tim Horton’s,” Cusimano said. “The new one has dual lanes, and traffic is back on the street.”
Board Chairman Alan Gustafson Sr. responded that village rules only require 12 parking spaces per square foot of floor space, while the company plans to have 20. One of the parking spaces must be ADA compliant, and the proposed Dunkin’ Donuts will have two ADA compliant parking spaces. Gustafson said the company has met or exceeded all or most of the village’s requirements based on the drawings submitted.
Village attorney Greg Peterson asked if a variance would be needed because the proposal outlined is converting a building designed to house a bank into a restaurant or food service establishment.
“No,” Gustafson said. “The zoning remains the same — commercial — but the parking standards did change, and they (the company) have exceeded the requirements. I don’t anticipate a variance would be needed.”
Nick asked about the proximity of parks and schools to the proposed Dunkin’ site, and the increased traffic it would bring, including road hazards and pedestrian hazards.
“We have several children who walk through that area to go to school,” she said. “Someone just got hit while crossing the street in the crosswalk. We have to make sure these kids are protected.”
During the meeting, Falconer Code Enforcement Officer Paul Capitano said the franchisee is considering opening three more locations nearby.
“It’s exciting that Dunkin’ has the potential to bring new jobs and traffic to our downtown,” said Village Board member Alan Gustafson Jr. “It’s always encouraging when business owners see the potential of Falconer and invest in it. We’ve welcomed many new businesses over the past few years, and it’s great to see that momentum continue.”
“We currently own and operate 86 Dunkin’ restaurants in New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts,” Abbey Celeste, director of marketing and communications for Bapa Network LLC, said in an October 2024 email to The Washington Post.
In addition to the Falconer location, we are finalizing a location in Cooperstown, New York, scheduled to open by the end of the year. “In addition to new construction, we are also working on remodeling several existing stores to accommodate NextGen layouts,” she wrote. Celeste also said the company expects to hire 15 to 18 employees at the proposed Falconer location.
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