Cheltenham Township is considering a proposal to demolish a building at 6 E. Township Line Road to make room for a drive-thru lane at the existing Dunkin Donuts on 2 E. Township Line Road, Elkins Park.

The Township received the Zoning Determination Request with an attached site plan on November 10.

Robert Habgood, Assistant to the Planning & Zoning Director, noted that the proposed drive-thru would not be permitted without zoning relief, and that a determination could not be made regarding the proposed facility’s interference with required parking spaces, vehicular aisles, and ingress/egress from and onto Township Line Road.

A Zoning Determination Review indicated that several variances would be required, including but not limited to: the lot’s size, the number of parking spaces currently available, the minimum landscape buffer to a residential district, and the ingress from an arterial highway.

Commissioner Mitch Zygmund-Felt, Ward 6, offered his thoughts on issues with this particular intersection, noting its difficult entry and exit points and potential traffic volume.

Zoning Staff also had concerns about the flow of traffic and how the traffic may interact with pedestrian access to the store.

Should the zoning concerns be resolved, the proposal would head next to the Land Development Committee.