Derwood building conversion advances for new Dunkin restaurant

Conversion of 17700 Muncaster Road into Dunkin’ moving forward despite traffic‑permit delays

Work is underway to convert the commercial building at 17700 Muncaster Road in Derwood into a new Dunkin’ location, though the project has hit traffic‑related permit delays that leave the opening date uncertain. A permit for the conversion was issued in August 2024, construction is continuing, and developers are working to clear remaining traffic permits tied to circulation and access.

What’s happening now

The property is being repurposed from a former childcare facility to a 2,500‑square‑foot Dunkin’ restaurant. The plan calls for a single drive‑thru lane and several site upgrades aimed at improving how the property looks and functions. Developers report they will pursue architectural improvements to the building and add streetscape work along the road.

Permits, delays and progress

A conversion permit was granted in August 2024, and crews have since been working on the project. After that permit, the approval process briefly hit a snag tied to traffic permits. Local officials and the developer continue an effort to resolve those outstanding traffic‑related approvals. Despite that, construction activity is moving ahead on other parts of the project.

Traffic and circulation changes proposed

The site plan includes a transportation report and a set of traffic measures intended to ease access and keep traffic flowing. Although the study showed the left‑turn lane was not strictly required, the developer proposed adding a left‑turn lane from Muncaster Road into the property to reduce congestion at the driveway. The plan also keeps local circulation improvements in mind to limit impacts on nearby streets.

Pedestrian and stormwater upgrades

Streetscape work is part of the plan, with the addition of an 8‑foot‑wide shared‑use path for both cyclists and pedestrians along the site. The developer also plans to introduce stormwater management features on the property, filling a gap where there currently is none. Overall, the changes are intended to improve safety and the visual appearance of the site.

Site background and design

The existing commercial building was developed under older C‑1 zoning standards and served as a childcare facility. The site plan seeks to adapt that building for restaurant use while also applying architectural updates to bring a more modern look. The drive‑thru design in the application shows a single lane for ordering and pickup.

Who is behind the project

The project is being led by a local franchisee operating as the developer for this Dunkin’ location. They have filed site plans and supporting reports that describe the visual upgrades, new shared‑use path, revised circulation, and stormwater steps. The developer remains committed to the location even as permitting details get resolved.

Timeline and outlook

There is no definite opening date at this time. While a conversion permit was issued in August 2024 and work is progressing, traffic‑permit issues created a short delay in final approvals. The project team says it will provide an opening timeline once permits are fully cleared and construction milestones are set.

Local context

The planned Derwood store is part of a broader push to open several Dunkin’ locations around the county. Multiple other projects are in various stages of planning, permitting, or construction. Those moves reflect a growing number of small restaurant conversions and face similar local permitting questions tied to access, circulation, and site design.

Bottom line

The Muncaster Road conversion is moving forward and includes a 2,500‑sf restaurant with a single drive‑thru lane, an 8‑ft shared‑use path, proposed architectural updates, stormwater management, and a proposed left‑turn lane to ease access. Construction continues despite lingering traffic‑permit matters that keep the opening date unclear.