Despite new CVS plans, opposition remains strong

Dec 16, 2014

Planning Board Chair Stephen Kokkins said Monday night that revised plans from developers of a CVS pharmacy were still too large for the lot at the corner of Front Street and Route 6.

“Unless the applicant reconsiders the size there doesn’t seem to be very much value in continuing these discussions,” Kokkins said.

“Maybe a more agile developer would find that a smaller building would work. We are encouraging sensible use of that business zone.”

For the second time, the Planning Board held its regularly scheduled meeting in the Marion Music Hall to accommodate approximately 150 residents who voiced nearly unanimous opposition to the project.

Developers unveiled plans to construct a 14,600-square-foot pharmacy and store with a drive-thru in September. To accommodate the store, the 3,900-square-foot historic Captain Hadley House would be moved to a lot adjacent to Saltonstall Architects at 380 Wareham Road.

In response to suggestions from board members and the public, developers arrived at an October meeting with plans that incorporated historic elements, such as dormers, white cedar shingles and cottage-style windows.

However, the building’s size remained the same.

On Monday, Dean Holt, of development firm Mark Investments LLC, returned with a new set of blueprints.

Those plans kept the Captain Hadley House where it is and showed a 10,000-square-foot CVS store to be built between the house and Saltonstall Architects.

Kokkins said the board would be more receptive to the project if the store were approximately 6,000 square feet.

Even with the 10,000-square-foot store, board members and residents opposed the project on several fronts.

Citing Marion bylaws, board member Eileen Marum said that the property’s location in a federally designated high-velocity flood zone made the site hazardous.

Member Norm Hills added that town bylaws prohibit new construction in those flood zones.

Holt responded he was confident that his team could meet any technical requirements imposed by state and local laws. He said it was important that townspeople support the project.

“We want you to like this project enough to say that this is something you can get behind,” Holt said.

Planning Board member Steve Gonsalves said the revised plans showed a good faith effort on behalf of the developers.

“I think it’s a much better project,” said Gonsalves. “There’s still a problem at the entrance of Front Street. Other than that, I think there’s something here we can work with.”

Many audience members did not agree.

Resident Charlie Larkin prefaced his remarks by saying his family recently moved to town specifically for its small town charm.

“This is a unique community,” Larkin said. “You’ve done a great job of preserving the village.”

He said residents would not benefit from having a CVS at that location.

“CVS is far more appropriate for a larger town,” Larkin said. “We’re on a chessboard between CVS and its competitors. Why should they care what we think?”

Resident Hamish Gravem kept his remarks brief and to the point.

“It’s time we finally wrote the obituary for this project, and I’ll gladly help with its composition. The sooner the better,” he said.

The meeting was an informal discussion. Developers did not officially submit the plans.

The proposal would require a major site plan review, and the Planning Board must approve a special permit before construction could begin.