DEEP RIVER - For more than two hours at a public hearing last week, the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed the latest design for a proposed Dunkin' Donuts location at 246 Main Street and then heard concerns and comments from 18 residents, among them neighbors, the Design Advisory Board, and the Deep River Historical Society.

Great American Donut, Inc., which operates the Dunkin' Donut location at 190 Main Street, is seeking a special permit to move to 246 Main Street, a piece of property that sits at the junction of Main Street and Union Street. The site is across Main Street from Devitt Field and property owned by the Deep River Historical Society.

Stuart Fairbank, an engineer with Angus McDonald and Gary Sharpe, summarized the applicant's proposal. The property is approximately 19,400 square feet with 85 percent of it covered by the building and pavement. The town has removed some pavement as it completes a streetscape improvement that is adding new lighting, granite curbing, and sidewalks along both sides of the property. The plan proposed would reduce the paved area further, to 68 percent coverage, introduce a new landscape plan, add a small outside seating area, and extend a sidewalk along the front of the building.

The inside of the building is approximately 3,240 square feet. Dunkin' Donuts needs only 1,600 square feet. The Union Street side of the building will be rented for another use. The building will receive new siding on three sides, new windows, and a parapet across the roof line. Sharpe described it as "a pretty simple makeover...Overall it's a facelift for an existing building."

The most debated part of the proposal proved to be the location of the building's Dumpster. In this latest plan, the Dumpster is relocated to the very front of the property, where the two streets join. Its appearance is "softened" by fencing and plantings, according to John Cunningham, of TEC Landscape, who is working with the applicant. An earlier design had placed the Dumpster at the rear of the building, where there was a concern that a refuse truck could not access the area, and then a second design left the Dumpster at its present location close to Union Street, where there was a concern that it would disturb neighbors.

Alan Paradis, chair of the Design Advisory Board, told the Planning & Zoning Commission that the advisory board had been in favor of a preliminary design, but modifications had been made in the latest plan, in particular the relocation of the Dumpster. The applicant "has made a good effort to respond to the village mixed use" zone, he said, "however, the design board's primary concern is the relocation of the Dumpster. We recommend that the application be denied if the Dumpster remains at the front of the property."

At that location, he said, "It will be recognized from all four approaches, which is why this has become such a hot topic." The design board is recommending pushing back the fence at the back of the building on the Main Street side, making room for "a little more landscaping" and for a truck to enter for Dumpster pick-up.

The design board is also recommending less pavement and parking as well as increased landscaping, noting, "This site would really benefit from maximizing green space."

Neighbors who live behind the building voiced concern over the location of Dumpsters there. Residents along Union Street raised the same concerns. Others who rose to speak talked about increased traffic "at an already tricky intersection," traffic and parking on Main Street and Union Street on Sundays with services and activities at the Congregational Church nearby, and traffic and children on bicycles coming from games at Devitt Field.

Others were concerned about "the standards of the town." One resident said, "The present Dunkin' Donuts has a big banner hanging outside its store advertising coffee, and there are sandwich boards out front and a 'Help Wanted' sign in a window."

Several residents were concerned that the plan did not appropriately consider the property as "the gateway to downtown." One said, "We have an opportunity here" to make this site an appropriate entrance to a town that is working hard, and successfully, to improve its image.

Scott Fanning, owner of Great American Donut, told the commission and the public hearing audience, "We are completely neutral about where the Dumpster goes...We want to fit in with Deep River. We are not here to pull a fast one. Tell us what you want and we'll do it...We want this location to look fantastic all the time."

The Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to begin consideration of the application at its December meeting.