A gas station that has stood on Route 58 and Osborn Avenue in Riverhead for decades could soon be getting a facelift -- and a new Dunkin' Donuts.
Riverhead Town Planning Director Rick Hanley and a member of the Atlantis Management Group, which is spearheading the project, came before the town board at its work session Thursday to discuss a special permit that would allow for expansion of the existing BP gas station.
The gas station, Hanley said, is a non-conforming use in the district and would need a special permit by the town board to move forward with plans.
Necessary variances, Hanley said, were granted by the town's zoning board of appeals on March 14.
The existing structure, Hanley said, is 1635 square feet; another 1025 square feet would be added to allow for a Dunkin' Donuts and a convenience shop inside; no convenience store currently exists at the location.
In additon, the pump island presently located outside the station would be moved to the west side of the parcel so that dispensers are parallel to the roadway and traffic would move to the back of the site. A canopy would also be removed, and the curbline redefined.
Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter asked if the current building would be razed; the goal is to keep the existing building and expand, Hanley said.
"I don't see the downside," Walter said. "We get rid of a very dated gas station and make something brand-new."
The board agreed it would be a good opportunity to "clean up" the western portion of the site.
Councilman John Dunleavy said the gas station had stood at the site for decades.
Walter added, "Dunkin' Donuts makes good coffee."The board agreed to move the process forward; a public hearing on the special permit will be scheduled.
Another Dunkin' Donuts exists on Route 58 and Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead.
