Politics & Government

Questions, Concerns Over New Drug Mart Proposal

About 50 residents attended a community forum to learn more about the new developments on Detroit Avenue.

What about an increase in traffic? What about the project’s proximity to ? What happens if is a bad neighbor?

Those were among the questions from residents attending a forum on Wednesday to discuss the t at the site of the former Ganley auto dealership on Detroit Avenue. 

Hosted by the city, a crowd of about 50 people attended the community forum.

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The company — with its — has plans to move its eastern Lakewood location to the corner of Cohassett and Detroit avenues.

Plans call for a red brick structure, 92 parking spaces, a drive-thru, and green space that includes space for a bio-retention swale. 

Find out what's happening in Lakewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The former auto dealership's showroom building would be demolished — along with an apartment building and vacant house at the rear of the property — to make way for a 24,000-square-foot Drug Mart, according to plans submitted to the city on Tuesday.

“It’s going to be a traffic nightmare,” said one resident.

Dru Siley, the city’s director of planning and development, pointed out that following the city’s , a traffic study would be required should Drug Mart seek a drive-thru.

Not everyone opposed the project. 

“It sounds like everybody is adamantly opposed,” said a resident who lives near the proposed development. “I want to remain open because it’s not plus for me to live next door to this … Maybe this isn’t perfect, but I am asking for some consideration.”

There are still a couple of hurdles ahead for the drug store chain.

The first is a proposal for a conditional use permit for a zoning change and a lot consolidation at the former Ganley site. The city’s planning commission will consider those motions on June 7. 

The following week, on June 14, the city’s architectural board of review will examine the company’s design plans. 

Earlier this year,  on the adjacent property across Grace Avenue.

“I appreciate so many resident from Grace and Cohassett attending and asking very good questions,” said Siley. “They are obviously very proud of their neighborhood and have every right to be. Our responsibility is to make sure that this project — as any project in Lakewood — is built with the highest quality.”


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