Walgreens Pharmacy Proposed For South Main Street

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Jul 29, 2005 12:00 am

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering a proposed zoning rule change being sought by a developer who wants to build a Walgreens Pharmacy on the busy northeast corner of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road.

At a July 21 public hearing, attorney Robert Hall, representing Watch Hill Properties, LLC, proposed zoning rule changes that would allow pharmacies to have drive-through window service.

Mr Hall told P&Z members that the proposal for a Walgreens Pharmacy at the site is contingent upon the P&Z approving drive-through window service for pharmacies. If such a rule change is approved, the developer would then seek a special exception to the zoning regulations to build a pharmacy, Mr Hall said.

The 47-49 South Main Street site, which has been vacant for several years, formerly held Newtown Tire and Service, Newtown Oil Company, Trudeau Service Center, and Trudeau Oil Company, among other businesses. Watch Hill has an option to purchase the site, Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall pointed out that the CVS Pharmacy at Newtown Shopping Village at 6 Queen Street in the borough has a drive-through window. Borough zoning matters are regulated by the Borough Zoning Commission.

A modern pharmacy needs a drive-through window to conduct business, the lawyer said.

âThis is a sensitive issue in our town,â P&Z Chairman William OâNeil said of drive-through window service.

Mr OâNeil pointed out that the townâs zoning regulations do not even formally allow banks to have drive-through service, although local banks do have such features.

Mr Hallâs proposed zoning rule changes also would formally allow banks to have drive-through window service.

Mr OâNeil said he understands that the pharmacy construction proposal hinges on the business getting approval for drive-through window service, but added that by changing the rules, the P&Z may be setting the stage for a variety of drive-through businesses in town.

P&Z member Lilla Dean said that other pharmacies in town do not have drive-through service. Ms Dean said drive-through service tends to create traffic congestion problems in the areas where it is located.

Other local drug stores might seek to add drive-through windows to their premises if the P&Z approves the zoning rule change, she said. If that occurs, the P&Z would face a dilemma, she added.

Borough officials have said they would never allow another drive-through window at a pharmacy in the borough, according to Ms Dean.

Mr OâNeil noted that the public expects that more and more business will be conducted at drive-through windows, adding that the townâs zoning regulations do not address the matter.

Mr Hall said the drive-through window that Walgreens has in mind would involve one-way traffic, allowing the P&Z to control traffic conflicts at the site. He suggested that the P&Z could restrict the items that are sold from drive-through windows to pharmaceuticals.

Mr OâNeill pointed out that the proposal to build a pharmacy may not meet existing applicable zoning regulations concerning site development.

A major hurdle that the pharmacy project faces is the zoning requirement that vehicle parking must be at least 50 feet away from the street, Mr Hall said.

P&Z member Robert Mulholland said a pharmacy does not need drive-through window service to do business.

Southbury resident Ed Weber told P&Z members that as the population ages, it seems logical to offer drive-through window service at pharmacies for the convenience of the elderly.

P&Z members are expected to act on the zoning rule change for the proposal at an upcoming session.

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It seems a lot of the discussion around the flagpole focuses on vilifying drivers who pass on the right, but the real issue is being overlooked. If Chapter 248 Section 14-251 were enforced, we wouldn’t see this problem to begin with. That statute prohibits stopping in the middle of a roadway to yield to cross traffic—as so often happens with cars waiting to turn from Church Hill. When vehicles stop illegally in the travel lane, they effectively create a blockage. Other drivers then either sit through unnecessary delays or carefully pass around them on the right, which is fully permitted when the vehicle ahead is “illegally parked” in the roadway. Instead of punishing drivers reacting to the obstruction, enforcement should focus on the cause: vehicles unlawfully stopping and backing up traffic in the first place. If that behavior were addressed, the need to “go around” would largely disappear.

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John, you raise an important point — these situations are tragic, complicated, and often far less clear-cut than the headlines make them seem. In the Fredericksburg case, the full facts still aren’t publicly known, and like so many of these stories, there’s conflicting information. It was apparently the back door at 3 a.m. — was it justified to use deadly force? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that the homeowner has been charged, and as you rightly noted, that is very serious. But this is also where perspective matters. These cases are quickly sensationalized in the news and on social media, yet when the dust settles, the outcomes are rarely publicized. People forget that in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty. Try to find much coverage of the convication in the case of the Fairfield Realtor vehicle homicide, or updates on the woman who shot her husband a couple of Christmases ago, or even the pedestrian death in Sandy Hook a year or so back. The follow-through simply isn’t there, and public opinion is often shaped only by the first round of headlines. At the end of the day, these situations remind us how split-second decisions in the middle of the night can change lives forever — which is exactly why the right to protect one’s property, home and family is so fiercely debated, and lucky constitutionally protected.

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First the low hanging fruit. Dave; it was a joke, please get over it. You are the only person in Newtown that thought I really wanted to build a stadium on 6 Commence Rd. Now on to Alex. You might not appreciate my writing style or my selection of words, but let's not loose sight of the fact that by responding to my letter in the manner that you did, you have removed any doubt whatsoever that you have no idea of the quantifiable benefits you are dismissing not only for the town, but also for protesters. Either you stopped listening at the word "ordinance" or you never started.. Your constitutional rights to assemble were never in question and would actually be strengthened and there would be literally no impediments. We could even title it "The Alex Villamil Ordinance" if you want. It could be your legacy and actually show Newtown your willingness to work in a bipartisan way for the betterment of the town. Businesses would be protected. Traffic wouldn't be interrupted. The town would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in police overtime. And maybe most importantly, the town could prevent another tragedy while mitigating legal risk in the event something terrible happens at a protest. Nothing bad could never happen in Newtown right? All that could be accomplished by a simple, non-intrusive ordinance unless all the detriments to our town are intentional in order to bring more attention to your cause. Alex, this was not me throwing a temper tantrum. Believe me, you will know it if that happens. I am just putting Newtown first. From that perspective, if you think critically, the regulation is necessary. It makes sense logically, rationally, and is reasonable. There is absolutely no down side. None. I would be willing to sit down with you to see if we could come to some type of compromise if you want. Let me know. You would be amazed how much you can accomplish when there is dialogue amongst neighbors.

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A popular prank circulating on TikTok is “ding-dong-ditch” where a group of young people violently bang or kick someone’s door late at night and then “ditch” or run. On May 3 three high schoolers here in Fredericksburg Va. were participating in such a prank. One homeowner assumed, as in this case, an attempted break in and also took measures to defend his family and property. As the youths were running away he fired, striking an 18 year old graduating senior in the back killing him and seriously injuring a second youth. A wasted life, a family shattered, and the homeowner charged with murder.

You’re absolutely right — no one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Being startled awake by violent banging at your door late at night is no joke, and it’s a stark reminder that danger can come without warning. That’s why I’m thankful for the right to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. In a moment like that, you don’t get a second chance to call for help before you act — you have to be prepared. Our homes should be a place of peace, not fear, and the ability to defend them is a right worth safeguarding.

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Walgreens Pharmacy Proposed For South Main Street

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