Council approves steps for CVS Pharmacy
FARMINGTON – The Farmington City Council approved two ordinances paving the way for a CVS Pharmacy.
The two measures – one approving a Planned Unit Development for the pharmacy and the other a rezoning classification to C-2, general commercial from C-3, Neighborhood and R-3, Single Family Residential – both received unanimous approval.
Before the vote, three councilmen addressed the concerns of Mary Ragsdale, a resident of the neighborhood near the proposed pharmacy who was at Monday’s meeting to again express her concern of what impact the business would have in her neighborhood.
Ragsdale first spoke to the council during the Oct. 9 public hearing regarding the two ordinances.
Ward I Councilman Larry Forsythe represents the area where the pharmacy would be located. He said while serving on the council in the mid-1990s he was opposed to the neighborhood being rezoned for commercial.
“At the time, I felt that no neighborhood should be violated or moved into and a section of it taken out for commercial,” he said.
Forsythe said the car wash located at the site was approved during his time away from the council and, “I would have fought the car wash. I will not fight the CVS Pharmacy … because it is already commercial. Being the representative from Ward I, I will support the CVS Pharmacy.”
Ward IV Councilman Mark Kellogg said his consensus from those residents who spoke at the public hearing was the pharmacy would be “a lot quieter neighbor than the car wash.”
When Ragsdale expressed her concern of the pharmacy located next door, Kellogg said he understood her concerns.
“I guess that’s all a part of progress in any city … that you have a commercial section of the city that grows out in accordance with a growth of a city,” Kellogg said.
Ward II Councilman David Holman told Ragsdale he believed her concerns were about the unknown results to having the pharmacy in the neighborhood.
Holman said he initially did not think the pharmacy would be a good fit for the neighborhood and not because he is a pharmacy owner.
“I now think they’re a better fit than the car wash. I really believe that,” he said. “I think it’s going to be an improvement over what is there now.”
John King, attorney for T.M. Crowley & Associates representing CVS, and Steve Marion, of Premier Civil Engineering, were in attendance and again stated they would work with the neighbors of the pharmacy.
Mayor Stuart “Mit” Landrum told Ragsdale the council did understand her concerns.
“I know this is going to be a change and change is difficult,” he said. “I’ve been impressed with the CVS people and how they care about their neighbors. I think that’s a real plus for you and your neighbors, also.”
Work on the new pharmacy will begin after permits are issued. Marion said the pharmacy hopes to open by the summer of 2015.
In other business, the council heard an updated from Public Works Director Larry Lacy on the precautionary boil water order issued for approximately 500 to 750 households in the area located south of Walter Street and east of Old Fredericktown Road.
The first samples obtained from the area of the break did not pass bacteriological testing. “We’re doing everything we can to try and make sure the system is flushed and have clean water for the citizens,” Lacy said.
Other reports and council action included:
A ribbon cutting will be held at the new tennis courts located on Perrine Road near Engler Park on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Sales tax receipts were up 4.5 percent from the prior year, marking four months in a row of receipts above the prior year.
A preview of the “A State Divided-The Civil War in Missouri” will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Centene Center. The special exhibit is coming to Farmington from Nov. 15 to Jan. 11, 2015. Sponsored by the Farmington Public Library, the event is a partnership between the Missouri History Museum and Missouri Humanities Council. For more information contact the library at 573-756-5779.
The council approved an ordinance with Joe Monie for a three-month lease of the property located at 3 N. Jefferson St. for the “A State Divided” exhibit. The location is the former site of Ophelia’s, which moved to the former Botanique’s location on Monday.
The Farmington OAKS Senior Center is looking for volunteer drivers. For information contact the center at 756-1376.
The council next meets in regular session on Nov. 13.
Members of the Farmington City Council listen as Public Works Director Larry Lacy gives an update on the precautionary boil water order during Monday’s meeting. Pictured are (close to distant) Ward I Councilman Larry Forsythe, Ward II Councilwoman Lynn Crites, Ward III Councilman Darrel Holdman, Mayor Stuart “Mit” Landrum, and City Counselor Scott Reid.
Farmington City Planner Tim Barnes, at right, visits with Steve Marion of Premier Civil Engineering following Monday’s Farmington City Council meeting. Marion’s firm is involved with the CVS Pharmacy, to be located near the corner of Washington Street and Karsch Boulevard.
Shawnna Robinson is the managing editor for the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-756-8927 or srobinson@farmingtonpressonline.com
