Update On CVS Project

As reported in our local newspapers (see here & here), in May, CVS submitted plans to the town of Carrboro to build a large CVS and parking lot on the corner of N. Greensboro St. &  Weaver St.  This development would demolish at least 2 historic buildings, cut down many trees, create more traffic problems and the parking lot would be placed on a residential street.

The plan from CVS has been turned into the town and town staff are reviewing it and will be going back and forth on revisions. I believe any citizen in Carrboro can request to take a look at the plan submitted.  I don't expect that the Carrboro Board of Aldermen will vote on the plan and specifically the zoning changes until the fall.  The Board of Alderman do not hold meetings in July & August.

The advisory boards of the town met and heard a presentation by the CVS developer.  It wasn't a public hearing but the advisory boards all had an opportunity to give feedback and here is a link to that feedback from them: http://orangepolitics.org/2011/05/carrboro-advisory-boards-CVS-concept-plan

Please take a look at the feedback.  It is very important information.

Here are some more pieces of information that are relevant to the development:

1. CVS has a lease in its current location (next to Harris Teeter) for several years.  The current CVS building is owned by Carr Mill Mall and CVS has the right pursue expansion at that location.  It seems there is no compelling reason that CVS has to move from its current location.
2. In its plans submitted to the town, CVS is asking the town to remove the Downtown Neighborhood Protection(DNP) designation for all the properties it would build on.  CVS is also requesting to rezone 3 properties on Center St.  Without this rezoning CVS will not be able to build much of their parking lot. The alderman have the right to not approve the rezoning of the properties on this residential street.  Please let the Carrboro aldermen know if you are opposed to the rezoning of these properties.
3. The Traffic Study done by a CVS contractor has also been submitted to the town.  The traffic study was during construction on Weaver St.  I am not a traffic engineer, but this seems problematic for the study.  Also, many side streets that drivers use to avoid downtown construction traffic were not considered in the study.
4. I have put together a presentation to show what our neighborhood looks like now and put some of the changes that will occurr in downtown Carrboro as a result of the proposed CVS development into context.  Click here to see the presentation.