Neighbors 'Strongly Opposed' to Dunkin' Donuts Proposal

Dozens of residents packed the top floor of the on Wednesday night to learn more about the at 655 Tremont Street – a proposal a vast majority say they oppose.

“Our block…has the highest concentration of restaurants in all of the neighborhood,” said Nancy Downer, who owns a condominium at 655 Tremont. ”We simply don’t think that we can accommodate any more.”

Clayton Turnbull, who owns and operates eight other Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in Boston (including near the intersection of Mass Ave. and Washington Street in the South End), has already submitted plans for the Tremont Street location to the city building department and applied for a zoning variance to serve food in the space.

Members of the Pilot Block Neighborhood Association’s Zoning Committee met with Turnbull last week to discuss his proposal, and have invited the developer to present his plan to residents at a neighborhood meeting before appearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“That meeting will happen,” said Mary Carroll of Pilot Block.

According to Carroll, Turnull's plans to occupy all 2,485 square feet of commercial space at 655 Tremont, with food service located at the rear of the building and a café atmosphere throughout. No cooking would take place on the premises, and trash removal would be handled by a private contractor. Trash receptacles would be placed outside the restaurant and emptied by employees.

“He was very, very emphatic about cleanliness,” Carroll said, “outside and inside.”

The franchise would offer free wireless Internet. A “muted” Dunkin’ Donuts sign would be displayed on the front of the building.

Turnbull typically obtains a 24-hour operating license for his stores, although the hours of the South End location would be fewer, Carroll said. Turnbull’s Mass Ave. location is open daily from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m.

At Wednesday’s meeting, residents in opposition to the proposal listed off concerns ranging from rodents and noise to increased loitering and crime. Condo owners who live at 655 Tremont worried that the value of their homes would decrease if the restaurant moved in.

“If it had been zoned for food, I would not have made the purchase,” Omar Lyles said of his decision to buy his condo.

Lyles and other condo owners met with members of City Councilor Bill Linehan’s office earlier this week to discuss the proposal. Many have sent letters to Turnbull as well as city and state representatives. 

“We are all in agreement, as are our abutting neighbors, that we will strongly oppose this proposal as feverishly as we possibly can,” said Downer.

The Pilot Block Neighborhood Association is working to schedule a meeting with Turnbull as soon as possible.