Middletown approves Dunkin' drive-thru plan despite resident safety and stormwater concerns

Middletown supervisors granted preliminary and final land development approval Sept. 19 for a proposal to retain the existing Dunkin' structure at 627 Old Lincoln Highway and add a three-lane drive-thru.

Attorney David Chapowitz presented on behalf of the property owner, saying the proposal keeps the existing roughly 1,200-square-foot building and adds a three-lane drive-thru system: one lane for kiosk ordering, a second lane for mobile-order bypass, and a third bypass lane for circulation. Chapowitz said the plan includes a deceleration lane on West Maple, a proposed underground stormwater infiltration and rate-control system, and maintenance of the 14 parking spaces permitted under the site's earlier approvals.

Traffic consultant Al Federico told the board his recent review showed unobstructed queuing storage of 10 to 12 cars before circulation lanes, and that the service-window goal is about 60 seconds per vehicle, with franchise operations incentivized to keep times down. "60 seconds is the goal time," Federico said, explaining the queueing model used to estimate site capacity.

Several nearby residents, including Joyce Martindale (738 West Maple Ave) and Donna Lorenz (716 West Maple Ave), urged denial, saying the corner is dangerous, traffic already blocks driveways and a drive-thru would increase accidents and local flooding. An emailed comment from Jerry Judson said, "If a drive thru is approved at this location, it will lead to more accidents," and asked for more resident notice and traffic study.

Township engineer (Mister Kessler) clarified the applicant proposes underground detention with rate control to connect to the existing roadway system and said the plan does not call for pumping water uphill; he added that PennDOT maintains the roadway drainage and the township would refer further drainage concerns to PennDOT if needed.

The applicant's traffic consultant said collision data along the site frontage did not show a significant pattern of reportable collisions and argued that consolidating and defining access points should improve operations; he acknowledged PennDOT sight-distance and permit reviews remain part of the process.

The presiding officer moved to grant preliminary and final land development approval for LD No. 21-01 at 627 Old Lincoln Highway subject to conditions: full compliance with subdivision and zoning ordinances, addressing outstanding review comments and obtaining required outside-agency approvals (including PennDOT). The motion was seconded and passed 4-0.

The approvals are conditional on the applicant resolving outstanding review items and obtaining PennDOT and other agency approvals before plan finalization and construction.