Morristown historic group opposes CVS plans; cites driveway, ‘strip mall appearance’

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Morristown’s Historic Preservation Commission has come out against plans for a CVS pharmacy, saying the project–scheduled for discussion tonight, Nov. 27, by the town council–would “create a strip mall appearance…wholly inappropriate and intrusive” to the downtown Speedwell Avenue neighborhood.

The commission, which met with the applicants last month, takes exception to a driveway that would run between the CVS entrance and the sidewalk along Speedwell.  Commissioners would prefer that the pharmacy abuts the sidewalk, like other nearby shops.

“We strongly recommend elimination of the driveway in front of the [proposed] structure,” the commission says in a memo dated Nov. 25.

The commission also would like the applicants to re-use at least two of three brick buildings on the property, at the intersection of Speedwell and Spring Street.

A vacant car dealership dates to about 1920, and a building that recently housed a Blockbuster store probably predates that. Another structure was a gas station. The commission praised attempts to incorporate architectural elements of those buildings into the pharmacy design–and would be fairly satisfied with them if the driveway were eliminated, according to the memo.

This former Lincoln Mercury car dealership would be razed to make way for a CVS pharmacy, if the town council approves the redevelopment plan. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
This former Lincoln Mercury car dealership at the intersection of Spring Street and Speedwell Avenue would be razed to make way for a CVS pharmacy, if the Morristown council approves the redevelopment plan. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

CVS representatives have indicated that they consider the drive-through crucial to the project’s viability.  They hired local landscape architect Carolle Huber, co-founder of Grow It Green Morristown, to design a pedestrian-friendly plaza for the CVS sidewalk.

It would include banquettes and tables made of wood from the demolished structures, a funky water fountain, red umbrellas, and space for a mobile food vendor and maybe a fresh produce stand.  The town’s planning consultants want the designers to work with local artists and the Arts Council of the Morris Area to ensure the plaza is used for cultural and artistic programming.

Some residents have expressed excitement at the convenience and the jobs that CVS would bring to this largely Latino section of town.

At 7 pm, the council is scheduled to discuss whether to re-introduce an ordinance to amend the town’s Speedwell redevelopment plan to accommodate CVS.

Artist's conception of proposed CVS pharmacy for Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Artist's conception of proposed CVS pharmacy for Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The property was scheduled as the fourth phase of a massive redevelopment of the Speedwell Avenue area that will take years to complete. CVS wants to move to the head of the line, and open its 15,000-square-foot pharmacy by next summer.

Although not within an historic district, the parcel lies in “a key corridor [that is] an important retail and cultural site, and is an important contributor to the visual and social fabric of Morristown,” asserts the commission memo submitted by Chairman Ken Miller.

As proposed, the pharmacy would contradict objectives of the town Master Plan and the Speedwell redevelopment, which calls for creation of a “unique identity for the Speedwell Avenue corridor, pedestrian-friendly complete streets [and] high quality architecture and urban design that is characteristic of Morristown,” the commission claims.

The setback from the sidewalk violates these goals “by creating a standalone single purpose structure, surrounded by private driveways and street level parking” in what was envisioned as a multi-purpose commercial/residential development.

Re-using the existing structures would “preserve the sense of place, the flavor of the early 20th century retail, and the streetscape” sought by the town plans, according to the memo, which singles out the proposed front driveway as the “most damaging part” of the CVS proposal:

“This creates a pedestrian conflict [and] disturbs the streetscape (roadway, curb, sidewalk, structure) in perhaps the most visible intersection in Morristown other than the Green.”

Though it’s not crazy about the parking lot layout and the single-story design of the pharmacy, the commission said it supports the idea of a drug store/general store for the Speedwell corridor. If CVS cannot save  the existing structures, it should at least document them with photos and simple floor plans before demolition, the commission recommends.

MORE ABOUT THE CVS PROPOSAL

THE ACTUAL CVS PLAN

CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE TOWN PLANNERS

Former Blockbuster video store, left, and former gas station at proposed site of CVS pharmacy in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Former Blockbuster video store, left, and former gas station at proposed site of CVS pharmacy in Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. This is why Speedwell looks like a street in Kazakahstan, the powers that be keep shooting down proposals to spruce up the place. The stinking Speedwell Redevelopment plan has been revised about 80 times with several months passing by between each ‘update’. What the heck does the Arts Council of Morris Area have ANYTHING to do with a pharmacy?? Is this Arts Council involved in every new building that goes up in town? If not, butt out. We don’t need more chefs in the kitchen when it’s taking years just to boil a simple pot of water.

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