WINCHESTER — The town is on its way to getting a Dunkin’ Donuts.
In a 6-1 vote Monday night, the planning board approved a combination Dunkin’ Donuts, convenience store and gas station at 4 Warwick Road (Route 78).
The approval came with a list of conditions, including the requirement that a $7,500 donation offered by the developer, S.S. Baker’s Realty Co. LLC of Keene, for the town’s sidewalk improvement project be paid before the 3,500-square-foot building breaks ground.
The planning board’s approval comes about a year after the board shot down a similar plan S.S. Baker’s Realty proposed for the site.
It also comes in the shadow of a legal battle in which S.S. Baker’s Realty appealed the planning board’s August 2012 denial of the project. The appeal was accepted by the N.H. Supreme Court on June 13 after Cheshire County Superior Court Judge John C. Kissinger Jr. sided with the planning board in April.
Attorney Gary J. Kinyon of Keene, who represented S.S. Baker’s Realty, said following Monday night’s meeting that he believes his client will drop the Supreme Court appeal provided no one appeals the planning board’s approval of the project.
While planning board members had some questions about the proposed project, the bulk of the comments Monday came from the 13 people attending the public hearing.
Attorney Stephen B. Bragdon of Keene, who represented Kulick’s Inc., which operates a grocery store and gas pumps at 30 Warwick Road, argued there wasn’t enough change in S.S. Baker’s Realty’s new application to justify the planning board overturning its original decision.
The planning board’s reasons for denying the plan last year included concerns about traffic safety, and that the project would overwhelm the site and didn’t adhere to certain design standards.
“There have been no significant changes made. They eliminated one parking space and reduced the building by 150 feet,” Bragdon said. “It’s not a new application under state statute or case law.”
The new plan also includes a provision preventing vehicles from making a left turn from the business’ parking lot onto Main Street and makes room for 11 cars in the drive-through lane for the Dunkin’ Donuts instead of 10.
S.S. Baker’s Realty believes the new plan addresses the concerns the planning board had with the old one, said James P. Phippard of Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC. Phippard presented the plans for the project on behalf of S.S. Baker’s Realty.
Resident Barry Montgomery spoke against the project, saying it could put mom and pop stores like J and G’s Service Station on Route 10 out of business. It’s in the best interest of Winchester to keep those types of stores because they preserve the town’s rural character, and cater to the needs of local residents, unlike larger chain stores, he said.
He then encouraged the board to approve the eatery use for the business, but reject the gas and convenience store component.
Resident John Gomarlo, who has lived in Winchester for 65 years, spoke in favor of the project, saying it would significantly contribute to the town’s tax base.
“I strongly believe at least 75 percent of people in town want to have a Dunkin’ Donuts, gas station and convenience store.”
.. and it only cost $7500 to get an approval this time around .. just how legal was this backroom deal?
In a 6-1 vote Monday night, the planning board approved a combination Dunkin’ Donuts, convenience store and gas station at 4 Warwick Road (Route 78).
The approval came with a list of conditions, including the requirement that a $7,500 donation offered by the developer, S.S. Baker’s Realty Co. LLC of Keene, for the town’s sidewalk improvement project be paid before the 3,500-square-foot building breaks ground.
The planning board’s approval comes about a year after the board shot down a similar plan S.S. Baker’s Realty proposed for the site.
It also comes in the shadow of a legal battle in which S.S. Baker’s Realty appealed the planning board’s August 2012 denial of the project. The appeal was accepted by the N.H. Supreme Court on June 13 after Cheshire County Superior Court Judge John C. Kissinger Jr. sided with the planning board in April.
Attorney Gary J. Kinyon of Keene, who represented S.S. Baker’s Realty, said following Monday night’s meeting that he believes his client will drop the Supreme Court appeal provided no one appeals the planning board’s approval of the project.
While planning board members had some questions about the proposed project, the bulk of the comments Monday came from the 13 people attending the public hearing.
Attorney Stephen B. Bragdon of Keene, who represented Kulick’s Inc., which operates a grocery store and gas pumps at 30 Warwick Road, argued there wasn’t enough change in S.S. Baker’s Realty’s new application to justify the planning board overturning its original decision.
The planning board’s reasons for denying the plan last year included concerns about traffic safety, and that the project would overwhelm the site and didn’t adhere to certain design standards.
“There have been no significant changes made. They eliminated one parking space and reduced the building by 150 feet,” Bragdon said. “It’s not a new application under state statute or case law.”
The new plan also includes a provision preventing vehicles from making a left turn from the business’ parking lot onto Main Street and makes room for 11 cars in the drive-through lane for the Dunkin’ Donuts instead of 10.
S.S. Baker’s Realty believes the new plan addresses the concerns the planning board had with the old one, said James P. Phippard of Brickstone Land Use Consultants LLC. Phippard presented the plans for the project on behalf of S.S. Baker’s Realty.
Resident Barry Montgomery spoke against the project, saying it could put mom and pop stores like J and G’s Service Station on Route 10 out of business. It’s in the best interest of Winchester to keep those types of stores because they preserve the town’s rural character, and cater to the needs of local residents, unlike larger chain stores, he said.
He then encouraged the board to approve the eatery use for the business, but reject the gas and convenience store component.
Resident John Gomarlo, who has lived in Winchester for 65 years, spoke in favor of the project, saying it would significantly contribute to the town’s tax base.
“I strongly believe at least 75 percent of people in town want to have a Dunkin’ Donuts, gas station and convenience store.”
.. and it only cost $7500 to get an approval this time around .. just how legal was this backroom deal?
24 comments:
How is a "requirement" a so-called donation? Just another payout to get what you want and now it's out in the open for all of us to see. Pretty brazen of the whole bunch don't you think?
Unbelievable!
The company has a lawsuit against the board in the State Supreme Court. The Planning Board had no business entertaining this proposal until the lawsuit was withdrawn or a decision rendered.
Brickstone said that they would withdraw if the board approved their proposal. It does not take a genius to recognize black mail. Yet, when you consider the makeup of the board (especially the arrogant Chairman) then you realize that we are at the mercy of six morons!
Thank you planning board for finally listening to us the citizens, I think Mr. Gamarlo might have been off on his 75% percent figure I haven't found 1 single person who doesn't want this business at this spot.
I feel like it may be a new day for our town and we will get more business coming in and lowering our tax base. I bet this place is flooded with job applications as they start building.
And now lets pursue Market Basket and teach someone a lesson for screwing with our town.
About time!
Great news, Thank you.
Ask-O-John he knows, "this adds to the tax base", hence we can now afford to hire more dead wood for the town to sit at the town barn and suck cigarettes drink Dunkin Donuts coffee all day. Margaret Sharra can have a side walk to go along with the bridge to nowhere!
You watch, this will open the door for other business to move in, give us goods and service, hire us and add to the tax base. Its a new day for our town I can just feel the good things coming our way.
Maybe even some more single family house, It doesn't hurt to dream a little.
This business will lower the tax rate in town? Believe that and I have a bridge to nowhere to sell you.
Still no good reason that this could be a stand alone Dunkin only. We don't need another gas station and store.
This Chesterfield Developer could care less about Winchester.
Kevin on Swan Street.
"Adds to the tax base", are you kidding? Most businesses that have come into this town don't even pay their taxes. The only reason he came here was because his rent went up in Keene and he refused to pay the increase. What makes you think he'll pay taxes here when others don't, like our own town employees, right Margaret, the race track and other well connected insiders, look it up. As for jobs, another laugh, just like the fireworks place and the dollar store, give me a break. You freaking idiots who want a doughnut in the morning are the reason this town is what it is... unhealthy for all. Drive out anyone who disagrees or who really sees what's going on and bring in all of the friends you want, Winchester will and always has been the kind of town that attracts carpetbaggers and underhanded people because of a few bad eggs who continue to enrich themselves.
So Theo paid $7,500 to get his application approved, would that not be considered a bride in a court of law?
It's a shame we have so many village idiots living in this town that's run by crooks and liars. The rest of us haven't got a chance.
Well, you are wrong Mr John Gomarlo. I for one do not want nor think we need any more gas pumps in town. It is ridiculous. Nor do we need any more roadside litter from the DD paper and plastic that will be tossed out on our streets.
This is great news! Maybe it will be open 24 hours.
I hope this will lead to more businesses coming to our town. I love how everyone thinks it will hurt the historic feel of the town. When people mention Winchester, the word historic is not what they mention....
Can we say bought off .. The planning board has now become another joke in this town and another board under the control of Ms. Sharra, Gus Ruth and the BOS. Hold on to your wallets folks, this is all going to come back and bite them in their collective asses and cost us a bunch in legal fees.
Sounds like the $7500 'payment' was unnecessary.
"Historic feel of the town"
That is a laugh. And your right, when people talk about Winchester its not about its historical look for sure.
In the immediate area of this corner is Kulicks plaza, A-1 Pizza and Gary's Power equipment, Rite aid, Big Daddy's and the always ugly VFW
Who is stupid enough to say the new business wouldn't fit in at that intersection?
You want to clean up our main street and make it historically beautiful again? Bulldoze everything from the baby factory across from Mr. Mikes all the way down the river past Mr G's and that would be a good start.
Well said 7:36 am. Either way you enter into the town people are greeted by run down nasty Section 8 housing, people smoking in their pajamas but still have the money for smart phones and buildings that should just be demolished. Those apts on Main Street by Mr. G's are certainly not deemed historic. I have yet to see someone drinking through our town looking for all the historic beauty. Instead they drive through it as fast as they can because they want to get to a town that actually has things to do, places to shop and places to find work at.
a small amount of people are worried about this new business, then you have people who support and believe in out Historic district commission, when what we really need is to bulldoze a few trailer parks and many of the low income housing and apartments.
Why? This is what Winchester attracts and has become known for, Low cost rent etc. etc. and when you get tat reputation, well we all know what we get and who moves in.
Lets get right out there and attract more business and encourage people to build more single family homes, These two things are the cream of our tax base and quiet frankly you just get a better class of people moving to town. I understand every town needs some low cost housing but Winchester has enough for the entire Cheshire county.
Less slums and more single family houses? OMG we can't have that. If we had more middle class family's moving into town and less low life's where would our entertainment come from, What would we have to complain about on this blog???
You really need to think before you post such nonsense. Its time you realized this is how its always been and will continue to be.
In case you couldn't tell I was being totally sarcastic, but unfortunately I think many people actually feel this way, how else can you explain this town?
In case you couldn't tell I was being totally sarcastic, but unfortunately I think many people actually feel this way, how else can you explain this town?
Or this Blog!
Some people may not remember, maybe we should hire Mohawk Construction Co. to come back and do some more work on the sewage system. When the construction crew left they took many of your so called "welfare recipients/low income trailer trash" and they lived happily after.
These people need to live and most do the best they can. I know many who live in the trailer parks and they are honest hard working people.
Who the Hell is so brain dead as to buy or build a house in Winchester with our high tax rate and it's going to go up
People keep mentioning more middle class families moving here and less low income housing; well wake the hell up folks, there's nothing here to attract those people and Winchester is nothing more than a town that provides housing for workers for the low paying jobs in the area. Cheshire county has nothing to offer unless you already have the money to live on and come here for the scenic beauty ( with is disappearing every day ) or to retire. There is NO BUSINESS in Winchester, no opportunities to improve your quality of life and the jobs and businesses that are here are low wage, go no where, put food on the dinner table and some clothes on your back kind. Our education system sucks, teachers and administrator make up for most of the costs and special education is killing the system. Who in their right mind would come to a town like Winchester and build a home?
We can thank those in charge for this problem, they look for ways to line their own pockets and only allow the types of businesses in that play ball with them. hasn't history and the people who run this blog opened your eyes to what really goes on in this town? Look back at all of the types of issues we have had with just recent applicants that have come here; the Dollar Store, Triple T, that so-called green power plant that was going to destroy all of our forests, that Van Dyke contractor who is being sued all over the state, Mitchell from Massachusetts polluting the air and water all around us,these are the types of businesses that come here because they know by passing a few bucks around they can get what the want that other states and towns don't allow. hell, didn't the owner of Dunkin Donuts just agree to "donate" $7500 to the town's sidewalk project? Is that not payment for approval after being turned down the first time? Wake up people, the proof is in the pudding and it's right in front of you.
Once again Mr. Plifka wants the board to review their position.(check out today's sentinel 8/19). I really have an issue with this no one in this town understands the word "NO". It is someone else's turn to make money. We all have brains and can make the decision to support Dunkin' Donuts or not. Personally, I do not care for Theo or Bryant. Yes,I do know them; but neither do I care for Butch trying to control the town. We complain about Gus and Maggie excuse me what is Butch doing?
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