Cranford Dunkin’ Donuts Denied Variance for Drive Through

Credits:TapInto Staff

CRANFORD, NJ – At the March 25 Zoning Board meeting, the second application of the night was from Anthony D’Amore, who requested in September 2023 a variance to update his Dunkin’ Donuts on 333 North Avenue East to make it a smaller drive-through restaurant.

D’Amore, a Cranford resident, runs 19 other Dunkin’ Donuts franchises, including two others in Cranford on South Avenue and Raritan Road, where he has his office.

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D’Amore’s legal team made presentations at the September , October, and December zoning meetings, including traffic studies and testimony about the efficiency of this type of setup. D’Amore had successfully made this type of conversion in his Edison location, so he had seen it in action.

Based on feedback from the Zoning Board, D’Amore’s team revised the plan to include a pedestrian walk-up option for purchase, which they submitted March 6. They also offered to do a post-occupancy study to address any traffic issues after the building was built.

The main concern of the Zoning Board was the traffic flow, especially after the issues with the Starbucks down the street. A large contingent of residents of neighboring John Street also expressed their worry about how the drive through would impact the traffic, parking, as well as the lines of families at the Dairy Queen.

Due to concerns about the potential traffic issues on North Avenue, especially with no left turn out of the Dunkin’ Donuts, the board unanimously denied the variance.

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