Hearing continues on proposed CVS

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BKA Architects Project Manager Bryce Hillman shows a design idea for the proposed new CVS Pharmacy at 26 Waterbury Road in Prospect during a public hearing on the plan May 6 at Town Hall. The public hearing was continued to the Planning and Zoning Commission’s May 20 meeting. –LUKE MARSHALL
BKA Architects Project Manager Bryce Hillman shows a design idea for the proposed new CVS Pharmacy at 26 Waterbury Road in Prospect during a public hearing on the plan May 6 at Town Hall. The public hearing was continued to the Planning and Zoning Commission’s May 20 meeting. –LUKE MARSHALL

PROSPECT — Traffic and design remained hot topics last week as the Planning and Zoning Commission continued the public hearing on a proposed CVS Pharmacy.

The Lombard Group, a Waterbury development company, is proposing a 13,225-square-foot pharmacy with a drive-through at 26 Waterbury Road, which is the former site of the Buckmiller Brother’s funeral home. Developer John Lombard, of The Lombard Group, also plans to move his company from Waterbury to a building he plans to renovate on property he owns along Summit Road.

Residents got their first chance to view the plans for the proposed CVS, which would be built on the corner of Waterbury Road and Summit Road, in April. At the time the impact the proposed pharmacy would have on traffic was the main concern of residents.

The discussion on traffic issues continued at the hearing May 6.

Shannon Rutherford, director of land development for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., said a traffic study from the Connecticut Department of Transportation raised concerns about potential traffic issues on Waterbury Road.

Rutherford said the DOT recommended that a planned driveway on Waterbury Road should be a right-turn only exit. Traffic would still be able to enter from the both directions.

In addition, the Lombard Group would have to add a by-pass lane heading south on Waterbury Road in order to keep traffic flowing smoothly. The widening of the road would have to be extended in order to include Chandler Road, which borders the property on the south.

Rutherford said CVS is also looking at moving the driveway off Waterbury Road and placing it on Chandler Drive.

This proposal was met by a loud outburst of negative comments from the residents.
Rutherford said the discussions on where to place the driveway are ongoing.

“CVS is now in the process of weighing their options. I’m sure you can appreciate that that decision is not made by one person. It is not made by a committee of hundreds, but it is not made by one person,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford said CVS is expected to make its decision as to where to place the driveway before the Planning and Zoning Commission’s next meeting on May 20.

The proposed design of the building was also discussed in detail.

When the plan was first unveiled in April, the building was proposed to have white vinyl siding and a flat roof decorated with some gables, which is considered residential style. Planning and Zoning Chairman Gil Graveline took exception with the design last month.

BKA Architects Project Manager Bryce Hillman presented three different designs last week, including a colonial-style building with a brick exterior and a pitched roof around the building.

The majority of residents at the meeting favored this style. When polled, the commission gave unanimous non-binding approval of the colonial-style building.

“I think it’s more inclined to blend in with the rest of the buildings,” Graveline said.

The public hearing was continued to May 20.