No objections to Walgreens plan (02/08/08)

The first step toward the construction of a new pharmacy in Portland was taken Thursday evening.

The Portland Planning Commission heard no objections to the construction of a Walgreens near the intersection of Meridian and Votaw streets, then voted to recommend a rezoning request needed for the project to be approved.

The Faigus Group, Highland Park, Ill., which represents Larry and Sandy Bubp, Rayma Frankenfield and Carolyn Huey, asked for three parcels needed for the project to be rezoned to neighborhood business from R-4 residential. The lots, which are owned by the Bubps, Frankenfield and Huey, are located at 113 W. McNeal St., 123 W. McNeal St. and 129 W. McNeal St. Other parcels needed for the project already are zoned as neighborhood business, Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, said after the meeting.

Eugene Faigus, president of The Faigus Group, told commission members the store is expected to be 13,650-square feet and have 67 parking spaces. The north end of the building will have a drive-up pharmacy. The store will be built between Village Pantry and Ben Hawkins Avenue.

Plans released last month showed entrances and exits to and from Meridian, Votaw and McNeal streets, and Ben Hawkins Avenue.

Initial plans released two weeks ago estimated the building would be 14,550-square feet. Walgreens recently adopted a new floor plan for stores set to be built in communities similar in size to Portland, Milligan said after the meeting.

In order for the building to be constructed in that location, a north-south alley located between Ben Hawkins Avenue and Meridian Street, and an east-west alley that starts at Ben Hawkins Avenue and ends at the Village Pantry parking lot, would have to be vacated by the city.

Commission member Mike Brewster asked Milligan if he has received any complaints about vacating the alleys. Milligan said he has not.

Faigus added that officials with Village Pantry also did not object to vacating either alley. Portland City Council is expected to vote on the matter Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

The third hurdle that needs to be cleared for the project is for a special exception to be granted, allowing the pharmacy to be built in a neighborhood business area. The Portland Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to review the exception to the city's zoning ordinance Tuesday at 5 p.m. Milligan said CVS, which would be across the street from Walgreens, is also in an area zoned neighborhood business.

Before commission members voted to recommend the city council approve the rezoning request, a local realtor spoke about the background of the project.

Randy Fisher who is selling the properties needed for the project, said, "This has all been in the works from 2002. We're very fortunate and lucky" that Walgreens wants to build here. "I've got some sellers that have been waiting very patiently."

Just before making the motion for the council to approve the rezoning, Brewster said, "I think it's a great opportunity for the city of Portland and the residents of Portland."

Also Thursday, board members:

•Welcomed Brewster and other new commission members Kent McClung, Don Gillespie and Ron Laux.

The commission also voted to retain Vicki Tague as president, and named McClung as vice president and Brewster secretary. Lee Newman was selected to represent the commission on the Portland Board of Zoning Appeals, and Laux was named as an advisory representative to the Jay County Planning Commission.[[In-content Ad]]