Northern Huntington Eyed For Dunkin' With A Drive-Thru

Top: A rendering depicts the Dunkin’ Donuts with a drive-thru planned for the corner of Southdown Road and West Shore Road in Huntington. Rendering/Edward Paul Butt Architecture

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

Dunkin’ Donuts is looking to add another Huntington location, one with a drive-thru window at the corner of Southdown Road and West Shore Road, but first it needs approval from the town zoning board.

The coffee shop is planned for 15 Southdown Road, the corner of the strip of connected commercial properties, including Northshore Pharmacy and the Office of Dr. Michael Kennedy, according to plans received by the town planning department on July 18.

The proposal calls for the conversion of the existing building, formerly a CitiBank, with no structural modifications to the exterior. The former drive-up teller window would serve as the drive-thru for the Dunkin’ Donuts.

The proposal calls for new signage for the outside of the building and the canopy for the drive-thru window.

In order to move forward, Dunkin’ needs the zoning board to approve a special use permit for operation of the drive-thru, and a reduction in the number of vehicles that can wait in line for the drive-thru.

Drive-thru restaurants are required by town code to provide space for 10 cars. Plans for the Dunkin’ include space for 10 cars, but not in a conventional fashion.

Town planners reviewed the application and found that the drive-thru layout did not comply with town regulations, and thus require the zoning board to grant relief for a shorter drive-thru line.

Uniondale-based attorney for the applicant John Farrell did not return calls for comment before deadline Wednesday.