Residents from Lawndale Avenue in Rotterdam are speaking out against a proposed CVS Pharmacy that they claim would tarnish their neighborhood.
The Rotterdam Town Board got its first glimpse of the project on Monday, Sept. 12. The plans call for a CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Guilderland Avenue and Curry Road, which is a busy intersection. There’s a vacant building at the site now.
Two days later on Wednesday, Sept. 14, following media reports, residents from Lawndale Avenue and nearby streets came out to oppose the plan. The board was set to refer the project to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation.
Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski said the board did not receive the concept map until shortly before the meeting. After a brief discussion, the board tabled the resolution so they could have more time to look over the project information.
The proposed CVS property is planned to have an “exit only” onto Lawndale Avenue, which had residents concerned about increased traffic. Also, three homes are set to be demolished and the parcels rezoned to suit the commercial property. According to the applicant, the owners of those homes have signed off on the plan.
A representative from CVS could not be reached for comment.
Sharon Butler, of Lawndale Avenue, asked the board to reconsider sending the proposal to the Planning Commission because she claimed it would be hazardous to children and property values.
“This rezone will have a negative impact on the homes — financially and environmentally — with more traffic, because that always creates a negative impact on any residential neighborhood,” said Butler. “The kids in this area play outside … they are able to do these things because it is safe for them to do. They don’t have to worry about traffic.”
She said it is a “friendly” neighborhood and residents watch out for each other and oftentimes develop lasting relationships. This atmosphere would be lost with CVS moving in, she said.
“Most of us, more than likely, would not have bought our homes in this area if we knew that this area could potentially be rezoned and a box store would be brought into our backyards,” Butler said.
She also questioned the necessity of the store, because right across the street from the proposed CVS is Rite Aid Pharmacy. There are two other CVS stores within roughly two miles, she added.
“Listen to the taxpayers before giving in to a conglomerate like CVS,” she said in her closing remarks.
Danielle and Timothy Heigel, also Lawndale Avenue residents, said four years ago they purchased a home in the neighborhood. Under the proposed zoning change their home would be the last residential property on their side of the street.
“With the proposed zoning change our house would no longer be in the middle of a nice quiet neighborhood,” said Danielle Heigel. “We will no longer be able to look out our windows to a pretty neighborhood. We’ll be looking at the side of a business or a parking lot.”
Roxanne Heller, living on nearby Oakdale Avenue, said ever since she purchased a home 10 years ago, she’s heard rumors the vacant building would be turned into such a store.
“This is a very quiet neighborhood and people want to live here,” said Heller. “These types of businesses bring in elements that we don’t want to deal with … it seems that when you have something like this put in you get people that you do not desire in your neighborhood running through it.”
She also stressed the safety concern of increased traffic on the street and suggested CVS locate an area already commercially zoned. CVS bought the property a few years ago.
“I don’t want my son riding his bike and getting run over by somebody who is in a hurry to try and get their medication on time,” Heller said. “Seriously, do you really care about the people in the neighborhood? If you do, you should not allow this project to go through. They have enough other places to go that are commercially zoned.”
