But planned drive-thru may not be allowed

The Beacon Planning Board on Tuesday (March 11) approved a developer's proposal to convert a building at 420 Fishkill Ave. to a Dunkin' coffeehouse with a drive-thru, although the City Council is considering a law that would ban drive-thrus.

The project, which will include other retail and apartments, has for months intersected with an ongoing city study of Fishkill Avenue.

In early 2024, Mayor Lee Kyriacou appointed a citizen committee to study a mile-long stretch of the corridor and make recommendations regarding zoning, streetscapes and accessibility, among other questions.

In November, Jay Healey, a member of the committee, brought an application to the Planning Board to transform the site of his family's former Ford dealership to the Dunkin' building. Two weeks later, the council asked the Fishkill Avenue committee for its early zoning recommendations. To move away from auto-related uses, it suggested that the council ban any new self-storage facilities, drive-thrus, gas stations, car washes, auto lots and repair shops.

J.C. Calderon, the committee chair, said that its members had not all agreed but that the recommendations were informed by public feedback, including a survey.

On Jan. 27, City Attorney Nick Ward-Willis told the council that the Dunkin' project would be regulated by whatever zoning is in place when a foundation is poured and "something substantial has come out of the ground."

After approving the application on Tuesday, Planning Board members discussed the council's draft law, which would only ban new self-storage and drive-thrus. They said that drive-thrus could work in the Fishkill Avenue corridor but they would need more time to thoroughly review the idea. They did not favor "categorical prohibition" of the two uses.

45 Beekman St.

The Planning Board continued a public hearing Tuesday on an application to construct two 4-story buildings with 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments on Beekman Street at its intersection with Route 9D.

The project, which has been reviewed for more than a year, would include 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 91 off-street parking spaces.

The feedback provided by neighbors was critical, with several people asking the Planning Board to send the developer "back to the drawing board."

A Cliff Street resident said she was committed to Beacon's continued growth but "strenuously opposed" to the Beekman proposal. "It is simply too much construction for too little space," she said, noting that many cities "would love to have the character and personality that we have," but "this project is out of keeping with the unique historic character and look and feel" of Beacon.

The board will continue the public hearing next month.

291 Main St.

The Planning Board also held a public hearing on plans to construct a three-story addition in the alley adjacent to the two-story Telephone Building at 291 Main St. The third story would be set back from the second-story facade, and the addition would feature commercial space on the ground floor with three apartments on the second and third floors.

Planning Board members cited "self-imposed" issues with the design, with Kevin Byrne suggesting that the Main Street frontage on the addition be reduced to one story. He said he is "very skeptical about [the project] unless some major changes are made." Karen Quiana said the plans call for too much construction on the South Brett Street side of the building. "It feels like there's a little too much stuffing for the taco there," she said.

Several residents made similar statements. A South Brett Street neighbor lamented former owner Deborah Bigelow's yearslong restoration of the historic building, saying, "I hope she doesn't know what's going on. That's my secret hope."

The hearing will continue next month.