Batavia aldermen favor Dunkin' Donuts drive-through plan downtown

Batavia officials indicated Tuesday they are inclined to allow a Dunkin' Donuts drive-through to be added to a gasoline station on Route 31, which the city's zoning board of appeals had recommended against.

Aldermen, meeting as a committee of the whole, voted 12-1 in favor of letting the Shell station at Route 31 and Houston Street add a drive-through lane that would wrap around the south, north and east sides of the building. Several variations to the city's zoning laws are required for the plan. The appeals panel had recommended against one that would have allowed the drive-through.

Jim Warwick, the owner of a two-flat at 118 N. Batavia Ave., protested the plan. He said increased traffic and noise and garbage and grease smells will hurt his tenants' abilities to enjoy their homes.

"It's just too darn close," he said.

Warwick said he bought the two-flat about 10 years ago, and at that time, the gas station turned off its lights and closed at 9 p.m. and opened around 6 a.m. It is now open until 11 p.m., he said, which prompted him to install blackout curtains on the bedroom windows that face the station.

The station was built in 1987. It has been a Road Ranger, a Phillips 66, and now Shell. At times, it has been open 24 hours.

Architect Steve Vasilion, speaking on behalf of the property's owners, said fuel sales have declined over the years. It used to sell up to 150,000 gallons a month, he said; it now sells 50,000 to 60,000.

Alderman Alan Wolff, who works as a mechanic at a service station across the street, confirmed that fuel sales at that station have also decreased significantly.

"I know how bad it is in the market," he said, mentioning that two east-side gasoline stations have closed recently. However, a new station opened last week on Kirk Road.