HADLEY — A used car business that can display up to 10 vehicles for sale at a time will be allowed to set up at a 1.4-acre parcel at the corner of Route 9 and Goffe Street.

The Planning Board last week approved the plans for H&M Auto Sales, to be run by Mike Filkoski, on the business zoned site at 132 Russell St., across from Hopkins Academy.

Plans call for the existing home and barn to remain on site, with creation of a small office required for such a business to operate. There will be 75 square feet set aside for each vehicle for sale and, because the site is not in the town’s aquifer district, an impervious surface is not required.

Though approved, board members had concerns that many of the evergreen trees that line both Route 9 and Goffe Street will be removed, impacting the look of this part of the historic overlay district where buildings have peaked roofs.

“I do have reservations increasing commercialization in this stretch, which is in the village center overlay,” sad Clerk William Dwyer. But Dwyer said he also recognizes that the site is zoned commercial and only a few properties are residential on that stretch of the state highway.

While the town limits how many auto dealers can sell new cars, there are no restrictions on the number of used car dealers.

Similarly, board member Mark Dunn said this is not what he would like to see there, but that the used car lot aligns with what zoning allows.

The board approved the plans in a 4-0 vote, with member Joseph Zgrodnik abstaining.

The board, though, put off a decision on new signs for the Dunkin’ restaurant at 331 Russell St., located in front of Mountain Farms Mall, and asking that Bill Gavigan, national account executive for Dunkin’ Brands with Poyant Signs of Hartford, return with revised plans.

Gavigan explained that he is being asked to have the new signs as part of a rebranding. “Part of the national rebrand right now with Dunkin is the ‘donuts’ is gone and everything is Dunkin’” Gavigan said.

The modernizing, or “next gen branding,” includes using individual letters to spell out Dunkin’, placing a graphic cup with a “D” on the side of the building and adding the expression “Hadley runs on Dunkin’” near the drive-thru.

Planning Board Chairman James Maksimoski said only the main sign, which is already internally illuminated, can remain lighted.

The bigger concern is the two towers, one over the entrance and one over the drive thru, being built.

The tower over the entrance is an issue, Dwyer said, because the sign attached to it would extend above the roofline, which is not allowed by town zoning.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.