Politics & Government

Washington Crossing Residents: No Dunkin Donuts in Historic Village

A group of residents are petitioning the Upper Makefield Zoning Hearing Board to reject variances required for a shopping center, which would include a Dunkin Donuts, just mere yards away from one of the county—and country's—most historic sites.

Perhaps George Washington and his troops could’ve used a warm cup of coffee and a few donuts after crossing the Delaware River on a cold December night in 1776. 

But now, more than two centuries later, residents of Washington Crossing say a Dunkin Donuts has no place in their historic village.

A group residents are petitioning the local Zoning Hearing Board to reject variances required for a shopping center, which would include a Dunkin Donuts, just mere yards away from one of the county—and country's—most historic sites.

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The group has created an online petition, which as of Friday afternoon had 37 signatures, as well as a Facebook page to spread the work of their effort.

Upper Makefield's Zoning Hearing Board on Tuesday will hold a public hearing to consider the variances needed for the shopping center on General Washington Memorial Blvd (Route 532).

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The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. at the Upper Makefield Township municipal building, 1076 Eagle Road.

“The proposed new Dunkin Donuts Quick Service Restaurant and new ‘7-Eleven like Convenience Store’ will alter the essential character of the neighborhood and be detrimental to the public welfare,” representatives of Stop the Washington Crossing Shopping Center group said.

The group says in addtion to altering the village's character, it is concerned with buffering, parking, landscaping and the accompanying trash that comes along with a Dunkin Donuts.

“Dunkin Donuts is the largest vendor of Styrofoam cups in the world with over one billion and growing handed out each year,” the group told Patch.

“The building, land and location combination are not suitable or legal for high traffic demand operations. Our zoning laws should be defended and should not be broken for a shopping center," the group said on its Facebook page.

Their message seems to have resonated with local residents. Many who signed the petition left comments along with their signatures.

“Just stop the greed and leave the beauty of the area alone for the future of the community,” one person who signed the petition wrote.

“Why on earth would they want to put a Dunkin Donuts across from the park?,” another wrote.


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