CVS pharmacy, charter school approved in WSP
Seth Loy
news editor
A new charter school and CVS pharmacy got the thumbs-up at last week's West St. Paul City Council meeting.
The national pharmacy chain, Walgreen's major competitor, will replace the vacant Red Lobster on the corner of Robert Street and Thompson Avenue, in front of Menards.
Community Development Director Jim Hartshorn said the project includes demolishing the current structure and building a 13,000 sq. ft. CVS Pharmacy with 86 parking stalls, a drive-thru and extensive landscaping.
Brian Alton, a lawyer for CVS pharmacy, said the company is "anxious" to build a store in West St. Paul.
He spoke to the council about a required parking agreement with Menards and Planning Commission suggestions regarding landscaping.
"There was a comment the parking should be extended 20 feet to the south," Alton said, though the council turned down the suggestion. "We had discussions in the Planning Commission last week, and it was felt we should have some exceptions. There will be a 20-foot landscape buffer on the south and east sides."
Council members Mark Tessmer and David Wright raised concerns about landscaping, loading berths and two proposed drive-thrus. One drive-thru lane will be used for the most part, but an inside lane could be used when the pharmacy is busy.
Tessmer, who felt the site plan and CUP left unanswered questions, was concerned "it's not a complete plan." He said the loading docks may be located to close to the drive-through and could create parking problems.
"I think there are lot of things administrative in nature, the parking, curbing, lighting, that's not really in my mind a condition, since it's in the zoning ordinance," responded Wright. "If we take out the fluff, there are a lot of the same issues we see with a lot of applicants."
The $40,000 landscaping plan includes six-foot evergreens along the loading dock and 64 trees overall, designed to improve the site's aesthetic appeal, Tessmer said.
"I asked them to do something unique and special with this store because of where it is located," Tessmer said. "A buffer on all four sides is more than what we would typically do. It will make sure the Robert Street side looks nice."
Company representatives are still deciding which plants to place in the monument sign at the street corner.
"I encourage you to drive south and see what's happening at Robert and Marie and see if you can one-up them," said Mayor John Zanmiller, referencing the unique fountain-and-landscaping feature planned as part of the Lowe's project.
The company still must work out a parking agreement with the adjacent Menards.
That store required a 40 percent parking variance when it was built, said City Attorney Korine Land, though the plan was based on the Red Lobster and Goodwill stores being present. The CVS site requires 86 parking stalls.
Menards required 782 parking stalls when it was constructed. Big box retailers based their figures on shopper turnout the day after Thanksgiving, generally one of the busiest retail days in the year.
"That's something that needs to be looked at," said Council member Jim Englin. "It boggles the mind how many parking spots we require of businesses in town."
The Council approved a conditional use permit for the site by a 5-1 vote (Council member Ed Iago voted against). A site plan passed by a narrower vote, 4-3, after Mayor John Zanmiller broke a council tie.
Council members Tessmer, Iago and Aaron Van Moorlehem voted against the site plan.
New charter school
A new charter school serving 60-100 students in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District is expected to open this fall in the former TapeMark building, 150 E. Marie.
The council voted unanimously to rezone the site from Business to Light Industrial (part of the 40,000 sq. ft. building will continue to be used for warehouse/industrial purposes) and a conditional use permit to allow an alternative learning center.
Superintendent Jay Haugen said once the school is built, the district will no longer have to bus students to an alternative learning center in Rosemount.
"It's not only going to serve high school students working to complete their degree, but those who are hopelessly behind. These will be Sibley students. Fifty to 60 students each year look for an ALC or drop out - these students would be primary candidates for this school."
Iago, who sits on the Planning Commission, said the school will mainly serve students within the district, though 10-20 could be bussed from Inver Grove Heights and the surrounding area.
It's a closed campus, with no smoking and lunch served inside the building. The Planning Commission had some concern with school buses dropping off pupils since there is no sidewalk.
Another site on Wentworth Avenue was considered for the school, but the city, school district and developer "couldn't find another building" that met ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) codes.
Council members Englin and Van Moorlehem were concerned about a drop-off behind the building that could be a safety hazard for students or a privacy concern for neighbors.
"It's quite a drop-off, [though it's] my understanding that students are going to be predominantly inside the building, not hanging outside," Van Moorlehem said.
The council required the school district to work with the developer to build a privacy fence, four- to six-feet high, and install plantings for site screening.
"It's a great program and something West St. Paul needs," Englin said. "Formally having been a teacher, an employee of Intermediate District 917, I understand the need. I think it's terrible so many of the students needed bused down to Rosemount for so [long]."
- Seth Loy can be reached at 748-7815 or sloy@lillienews.com.
|
