A developer has slightly altered its plans for a property at the corner of Delaware and Elsmere avenues now that a Walgreens Pharmacy has withdrawn.
Patroon Development will instead aim to construct a similar structure to solely house medical practices. Community Care Physicians, which currently inhabits one structure on the property now, would take the first floor.
Peter Lynch, attorney for Patroon, said a change of plans compelled Walgreens to withdraw, and declined to discuss what other medical practices might move into the second floor.
The new plans also move the building closer to Delaware Avenue, eliminating a row of parking between that thoroughfare and the structure. The sidewalk and property would be separated by a fence. There would be no car entry by Delaware Avenue ` Elsmere Avenue and Booth Road would have entrances.
Though the developer already has in hand a number of variances from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals, it will have to go back for new ones. There has been a slight change in the number of parking spots, for example, and the project still has fewer than the required amount.
Planning Board members also spoke about the design of the building itself. The site is in a commercial hamlet zone, which carries certain restrictions. Member Nicholas Behuniak said he’d like to see a more interesting design.
`I think that faCade is really far too plain for what you have there, both for your building and that area,` he said.
The project site includes the former CVS Pharmacy, which built a new building across the street. It’s still vacant and is often cited as the case study for empty storefronts on Delaware and among the worst examples of blight in the town.
The developer would level the old CVS building, as well as the current home of Community Care Physicians next door. Doctors there would be able to continue practicing through the construction process.
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