Art space envisioned in revised CVS plan before Morristown Council tonight, Nov. 27

A CVS pharmacy proposed for Speedwell Avenue should include a pedestrian plaza designed in collaboration with local artists and the Arts Council of the Morris Area, to ensure a “range of cultural programming (and) public art opportunities,” Morristown’s planning consultants contend.

They are forwarding several suggested changes to the CVS project to the Morristown council tonight, Nov. 27.

The council will consider re-introducing an amendment to the Speedwell redevelopment plan to incorporate these revisions recommended by Jonathan Rose Companies, the town planners.

CVS wants to build a 15,000-square-foor pharmacy to replace a vacant car dealership at the intersection of Speedwell and Spring Street. Scheduled to open next summer, the pharmacy would employ about 30 people.  A variety of traffic-, aesthetic- and historical issues have been raised at prior meetings.

The property was intended as the fourth piece of a massive redevelopment of the Speedwell Avenue neighborhood; CVS wants to move to the head of the line.

Among recommendations from the planners:

• Require CVS to donate 10 feet of frontage for an extra traffic lane on Speedwell, as discussed at previous meetings.
• Planning board approval should be required for any 24-hour retail operation.
• Certain building height restrictions in the redevelopment zone should be waived if the rooftop has solar panels or a greenhouse.
• The sidewalk on Spring Street should be 10 feet wide.
• Trees should shade 50 percent of non-rooftop hard surfaces within a decade.
• LCD- and variable-message signs should be prohibited.
• A solar power charging station should be installed for public use.
• Illuminated “bollards” should separate vehicular- and pedestrian traffic lanes in the parking area.
• The planning board may require speed bumps to discourage motorists from using the CVS parking lot as a shortcut between Spring and Early streets.

The meeting starts at 7 pm in the council meeting room at town hall.

MORE ABOUT THE CVS PLAN

CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY THE TOWN PLANNERS

RECENT PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SPEEDWELL REDEVELOPMENT