CVS Pharmacy Might Open in Maplewood

An ordinance to rezone the property hosting was given preliminary approval by the Maplewood City Council on Tuesday night, with the contingency that development plans be slightly revised.

A CVS pharmacy aims to open at 7468 Manchester Road, located just east of Big Bend Boulevard. If given final approval during next month's regularly-scheduled council meeting, the 2.08 acres of developed land will be rezoned to become a planned unit development (PUD), along with an additional .656 acres to be used for future development.

During the meeting, Ward 3 Councilman Shawn Faulkingham voiced traffic concerns.

"You go from what was there, which was a car dealership that doesn't really have a lot of power in traffic, to a pharmacy that has a lot more hourly traffic," Faulkingham said. "There's already tens of thousands of cars that roll through that intersection anyway, so I just want to make sure that is taken into consideration."

Faulkingham requested a few revisions in the plan too, including the required distance for setbacks.

"Part of our five year goal is to improve street and greenscape. I would like to see CVS think outside the box," Faulkingham said.

By zoning the property as a PUD, the city would have more control over potential changes to the property, City Manager Marty Corcoran said.

Council members weren't as concerned about the neighborhood behind the development—at the corner of Big Bend Boulevard and Hazel Avenue—because the residents have grown accustomed to being located next to the car dealership. The rezoning process wouldn't touch their properties either.

The Ford dealership is leaving because Ford had been leasing the space but no longer needed it due to recent acquisitions of new properties, Faulkingham said.

CVS will need to revise and submit a final proposal to city council before a final vote is taken. CVS representatives were not present at the meeting.