Planning Board Requires $80,000 Bond, Opposes Dunkin' Drive-Through Setback Variance

TYNGSBOROUGH — January 2, 2025 — Tyngsborough Planning Board opens 2025 by requiring an $80,000 bond and opposing a Dunkin' drive-through variance. At its January 2 meeting, the board voted to require a $80,000 performance bond from Rich Campbell of Trico for his commercial property at 50 Old Tin Road after declining to sign an incomplete as-built plan, directing staff to instead prepare a letter to Building Commissioner Paul recommending a temporary occupancy permit pending completion of paving and landscaping by May 31, 2025. Member Steve O'Neill drove the outcome, stating, "I'm not comfortable signing an as-built, even with the bond — it's not a six, eight-house subdivision." The board also voted unanimously to send a letter of strong opposition to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a proposed Dunkin' Donuts drive-through at 406 Middlesex Road, where the applicant is seeking a variance to place the building 33 feet from Middlesex Road rather than the required 75 feet — a gap of roughly 42 feet — raising concerns about drive-through traffic queuing blocking tractor-trailer access to a nearby approved warehouse development.