The county Planning Commission last week approved a request for a conditional-use permit to build a Dunkin’ Donuts on Telegraph Road.
The commission voted 6-0 to approve the request to construct the restaurant, with a drive-through, at 4220 Telegraph Road in the Telegraph South Center.
The request now will go before the County Council. Plans call for the demolition of the existing Jazzercise studio at the north end of the center to make way for the roughly 2,000 square-foot stand-alone restaurant.
During a recent public hearing on the proposal, residents of the neighboring Birchwood Estates subdivision told the commission they were concerned about the additional traffic and noise the business may generate.
In addition, the owner of Andre’s South Banquet Center contended parking may become an issue on days the business hosts wedding receptions or other events.
Sixth District Council Chairman Steve Stenger, D-south county, said last week he still was reviewing the proposal and had not decided how he would vote on it.
However, he noted he’d received roughly 100 emails on the issue, all of which were from individuals who are opposed to the restaurant. About half of the messages were from residents concerned about increased noise and traffic, while the rest were from Jazzercise patrons who don’t want the business to be torn down, Stenger said.
