Comments on: The Real Story on Storey Avenue

By: Bill Myette

Bill Myette — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:24:27 +0000

Not to take the CVS deal at this point would be a large loss to the City. The land to be deeded to the city alone would be reason enough for a yes vote. Beyond the land alone is controling that piece. Not getting it opens it for development either as an extention of Sea Port Village project or some other project.
One question I can’t seem to get an answer to on Sea Port, does the City have first refusal on that land now that the court case on the price is settled? If not ,why not as it appears to still be taxed at 61A rate.

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:30:26 +0000

Ari,
I commend you for providing a platform for reasoned online debate on this complex issue. Having read it all and listened to the last Council hearing, I stand with Tom Jones and the other “no” votes for the following compelling reasons:
- A yes vote will definitely bring denser commercial development, more traffic, more asphalt; a no vote will delay and give us time for a better solution to the many traffic problems in that area
- I don’t agree that Tropic Star will go ahead anyway. Business climate is shaky and they may go where there is less opposition and less expensive contributions required.
- State promises of road enhancement don’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. Remember “High Street not a Highway”? What about suicide middle lanes?
- The environmental concern speaks strongly. Paving over farms is forever.

By: 10 Benefits to Rezone Storey Avenue

10 Benefits to Rezone Storey Avenue — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:16:14 +0000

[...] reviewing the facts (which I lay out in the real story on Storey Avenue) I feel the benefits of approving rezoning outweigh the negatives of not approving rezoning; and as [...]

By: Kathy H

Kathy H — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:11:15 +0000

Dearest Ari,
I am asking you to vote NO on rezoning for this CVS project.
Thank you,
Kathy Heywood

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:12:06 +0000

So, that’s it? No hope? there goes more open space, more wooded land. If this was 1995 I might have said, ehh oh well pave on, let the free market decide if the businesses succeed. But alas it is not. We are smarter now. I think we are all coming to understand that in 5, 10, (or even right now for many of us) we are going to treasure open space, especially farm land more and more and asphalt less and less.

As for ” the business is coming whether the citizens need it or not” Really? I saw just a handful of what I still consider misguided citizens (but that is another story) block a hotel that would have brought year round business along with a wealth of other benefits to downtown. If they can do that then stopping this development of farm and wood land should be layup.

As for Route 113 reconstruction, tackle that as a separate issue. How about asking the local businesses that are already there if they would pitch in for it? They would certainly benefit from the reconstruction. In fact I bet Rite Aid and Walgreens would flip the bill if it meant helping to keep CVS out. While you are at it how about a quick letter (or letter writing campaign) to CVS telling them that paving farmland to put up a CVS flies in the face of the CVS Caremark’s Environmental and Climate Change Policy. (read more here: http://info.cvscaremark.com/our-company/corporate-responsibility/environment/our-carbon-footprint).

By: Ari Herzog

Ari Herzog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:30:44 +0000

As recently as yesterday, the developer informs me that “it would continue to pursue a CVS development on the Woodman Parcel even if the rezoning does not pass.”

Why would I vote no to rezone, again?

You refer to Ted’s quote, “Is this something the citizens of NBPT need and does the benefit outweigh the negative effect of the additional traffic and congestion?”

I respectfully respond that the business is coming whether the citizens need it or not. I say let the market decide if it is successful or not. And, I’d rather the property have deed restrictions and I’d also rather a private company protect taxpayers by paying for Route 113 reconstruction. But both of those actions can only occur if the adjacent Swofford parcels are rezoned.

The benefits of rezoning outweigh the benefits of not rezoning.