BG council backs CVS plan - Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune | Sentinel-Tribune

BG council backs CVS plan

Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor

Wednesday, 23 January 2013 10:46

Former Ohio National Guard Armory on Wooster St. where the proposed CVS Pharmacy would be built. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

One proposed downtown East Wooster Street development moved forward and the fate of another project remained in limbo Tuesday night following action by Bowling Green City Council.
The CVS Pharmacy project on the south side of the 200 block of East Wooster Street and a B-5, transitional central business district zoning classification "birthed" by the projects, were approved on 6-0 votes.
Mayor Richard Edwards signed the ordinances immediately after the meeting. Both become effective in 30 days.
Council left on the table a rezoning request for a commercial and residential development on the north side of the 200 block of East Wooster Street. Three ordinances to rezone the properties involved were tabled indefinitely Nov. 19.
At-large council member Robert McOmber explained that council made no effort to take the ordinances off the table because the six members present were split 3-3. Fourth Ward council member Greg Robinette was absent. McOmber said all seven members are expected to attend the Feb. 4 meeting.
The CVS project will require demolition of the former Ohio National Guard Armory and the former Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home that front on Wooster Street and houses at 117 and 123 S. Prospect St.
CVS developers indicated at previous meetings they hope to start construction this spring. The developers originally requested rezoning to B-3, central business district, but agreed to allow council to change the request to B-5.
"In terms of the CVS project, I have heard very positive comments," Council President John Zanfardino said.
The B-5 proposal has been revised several times since its introduction Dec. 3 and council continued the fine tuning Tuesday night.
A public hearing on the B-5 legislation before the council meeting found residents with mixed feelings but in general agreement that the product was much better then the original proposal.
Several indicated the city and council could have taken more time to do a better job on the proposal in order to protect neighbors, property values and take care of a variety of concerns addressed in public hearings.
Reviews by the BG Planning Commission, hearings and council discussion have resulted in several specific prohibitions of businesses in the district, along with a detailed procedure to review screening and buffering when projects are built in B-5 districts.
Prohibited uses in B-5 are tattoo parlors and similar businesses, bars or taverns, vehicle fueling stations and auto sales or service, all uses prohibited in the B-3 zone and anything not specifically included in the B-3.
"This (B-5) is not exactly like anybody wanted. Nobody's one version got us here," said at-large council member Robert McOmber. "Anything that has involved so many people is probably not going to be perfect. I appreciate everybody's efforts on this. It has been an interesting journey."

Comments

# 2013-01-23 16:16

Good to know the City did the right thing, by passing this and clearing the way for the the old to go and new to begin. So glad that this was kept separate from the other site in question that the Green family wants to to develop.

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# 2013-01-23 18:03

It will be sad to see the Armory, where my Father enlisted, as a Private in 1937, then was later named in his honor, for his outstanding militray service to his Country and his State, be torn down. Progress is what it is and often can not be helped but that's not to say we all agree with it.

In memory of my Father, Brigadier General George Frederick Graf.

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# 2013-01-23 20:16

I feel sorry for the home-owners in both those areas.

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# 2013-01-24 14:36

Instead of tearing down structures and building new ones why not try filling vacant ones first.With relatively new complexes on the south and north end of town having spaces that stand vacant.Maybe an incentive should be offered to fill these first before new construction is allowed.

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# 2013-01-24 23:44

Gary there are way to many people in his town that think that new places need to be built and to heck with structures that are setting empty. Their excuses will be, oh it takes to much to fix that building. Oh the banks won't loan money on that building because it's to old. But yet we see many buildings for many years just empty and going to pot. But by golly we find empty space and we have to develop and tear down some spots. Go figure.

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# 2013-01-26 15:56

Thank your local liberal ... EPA, ADA and the likes make it almost impossible to refurb a building cost effectively. From experience I can tell you the cost savings can be 40% or greater for apples to apples. Plus you get what you want.

Why do you think the University tears everything down on Campus now, it's 100% costs.

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# 2013-01-26 15:54

Oddly enough it's up to the owners of businesses to decide where to go and where they feel will be best. Keep in mind those two buildings have sat vacant for over 8 years now.

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# 2013-01-25 10:20

The armory is no doubt full of lead and asbestos, cleaning that up is a huge undertaking even if demolished. It will be a large expense no matter what is done there.

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