'Drive-Thrus Don't Belong' on Marlborough Main Street

City Councilors raised concerns over the inclusion of a drive-thru in renovation plans for Marlborough's Main Street Dunkin' Donuts.

“Drive thrus, in my view, don’t belong on Main Street,” said City Councilor Mark Oram of a proposal to add a drive-thru to increase the profitability of the Main Street Dunkin' Donuts.

This was the second time such a proposal had come before the council. A number of changes had been made to the proposal, including moving back delivery times and dumpster pick-up times past 10 a.m. for everything but donuts which would continue to be dropped off at 6 a.m.

However, these concessions were not enough for some councilors who took issue with the possible traffic issues and other problems that could come along with putting a drive-thru at the location. Some councilors also stated that a drive-thru is counter to the efforts to get people downtown out of their cars.

“A drive-thru Dunkin' Donuts is not going to do anything to develop Main Street," said City Council President Patricia Pope who pointed out that the Zoning Board of Appeals had granted 25 variances for the site with another 10 reportedly to come in the future.

The issue will continue to be discussed by the Urban Affairs Committee.