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N. Woburn Rumor is Real: CVS Petitions City
What is the drug store looking to do in North Woburn?
CVS has petitioned the city to build a new store at the Mr. Charlie's location, Main and School streets.
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A rumor has become reality, as developers proposing a CVS in North Woburn have officially filed a petition with the Planning Board.
According to Planning Director Ed Tarallo, the special permit application was submitted Thursday afternoon around lunch time.
Rumors have been swirling about changes in North Woburn, since a portion of the Dunkin' Donuts/Convenient 38 strip mall was painted with blue and white stripes—the color scheme for Mr. Charlie's Ice Cream.
"They must come before the City Council in special permits to do this," said Alderman Richard Gately.
Mr. Charlie's is expected to speak to the City Council about the paint and possible move Tuesday. Now, CVS has filed paperwork to move into Mr. Charlie's old location, and is also listed on the City Council's Tuesday agenda.
According to Alderman Mike Raymond, direct abutters to Mr. Charlie's met with developers on Aug. 2 to discuss the CVS proposal.
"The petitioner introduced the preliminary plans to those present and resident concerns and questions were addressed," said Ald. Raymond.
According to the alderman, the project site is zoned "business highway" and several property owners in the area have sold their property to make the lot larger.
"The Historic Commission inspected all the homes and buildings involved on this site," he said. "The Commission has determined that these properties have no historic value and are proposed to be demolished."
But many are concerned about the CVS project, and what kind of traffic it would bring to an already crowded North Woburn area.
"It would be nice to have the convience of a CVS there, but what a mess of traffic it would cause," said Woburn Patch reader Jodi.
North Woburn resident Dianne Autenzio said that a new drug store is not needed, especially with the proposed 40B project also still on the table for the neighborhood.
"Route 38 will be like a miniature Route 28 in Stoneham, only we only have one lane for each side," she said.
The 40B project, which is still at the Board of Appeals level, will be discussed on Sept. 11 at City Hall at 7 p.m. Meetings for the Mr. Charlie's/CVS proposal have not been set yet.
What are Mr. Charlie's and CVS asking?
According to the City Clerk's office, the following items are on the City Council's table regarding the Mr. Charlie's/CVS proposal:
- special permit to allow alteration of nonconforming use and structure to relocate Mr. Charlie’s, to allow for 47 parking spaces, and for alteration of existing nonconforming sign at 880 Main Street. (Petitioner: Robert McSheffrey)
- special permit to allow for the sale or rental of automobiles, trucks, truck trailers and motorcycles and for a Second Class Motor Vehicle Sales License, all at 880 Main Street. (Petitioner: Robert McSheffrey)
- special permit to allow for 1. Retail establishment greater than 15,000 g.f.a, and 2. Drive-up customer service facility, all at 1 School Street, 3 School Street, 13 School Street, 891 Main Street, 893 Main Street and 895 Main Street. (Petitioner: Main Street Woburn RX, LLC)
Current North Woburn Projects & Proposals
- Alzheimer residence—859 Main St.
- Four-family dwelling construction (town houses)—960 Main St.
- CVS—corner of School and Main streets (Mr. Charlie's location)
- 40B proposed project—1042 Main St. (also referred to as the Woburn Quarry)
- Condo project—1071 Main St.
- Condo project—859 Main St.
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italianmass
6:52 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Think cvs would be great ,but also concerned about the traffic.
Gina Leto
7:04 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Thanks for posting the article. I hope people in North Woburn turn out for the meetings.
Maureen Foley Cioni
7:30 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
CVS is not needed. It would make that area more dangerous for all the kids at the park by increasing traffic congestion. Plus, It's already hard to go through at rush hour times, not a good idea.
Karen M.
8:14 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
As a frequent consumer of Mr. Charlie's ice cream, we do not support a move across the street. The current establishment provides a safe setting for children while enjoying their ice cream treats. The parking lot across the street is a nightmare and it has also become a "hang out" both during the day and evening.
Maureen Foley Cioni
9:08 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I agree with that too Karen.
mark brown
8:56 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
N. Woburn is gettin crapped on left n right!!! With nothing being done to infrastructure to alleviate existing traffic,nevermind new traffic.
Earnhardt
11:20 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
So right Mark! thank Alderman Raymond..... talk about no representation....
Aaron B
10:36 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
If the city has any interest in this (relatively) massive scale of development for north Woburn, I don't know why they didn't widen Main St from the circle to Elm / School St. Regardless... I live in the immediate area, and while I stand to benefit from the convenience of having a CVS there, I believe I stand to lose oh-so-much more.
Melisa Doherty
11:38 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Agree Karen! It's present location is perfect right where it is. It doesnt really make sense to me that it would move across the street.
Amanda Gonzales
11:42 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
As much as I would love the convenience of a closer cvs, i agree this is a horrible location because of traffic and the fact that there is a park there and being close to a school poses major safety concerns.
Deanna Dev
4:47 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Living in the immediate area traffic is everywhere regardless, if its not CVS that goes there it'll eventually be something else. CVS would be convenient for all and alleviate traffic from Woburn center.
Gina Leto
9:39 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Everyone needs to attend the meetings that are opposed to this We were told a traffic study will be done after all the north Woburn projects are completed!
Linda
4:39 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mr Charlie's move across the street is a bad idea. I take it there will be no outside seating nor windows outside. Too much traffic in and out as well as drive up for DD right there. I see they painted before the final ok. Anyone surprised at that one? CVS would be nice, but bad location. Then again N. Woburn where the city government could care less about.
Rose Thorn
7:34 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Look for RX LLC on the CVS petition. The car dealership also wants to transfer over to Mr. Charlie's as well. A lot to ask for in a busy parking lot.
Dianne Autenzio
11:01 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Pass the word to your neighbors to attend these meetings. It is our lives and our childrens that are the most important. We are the voters, taxpayers, homeowners and residents a lot of our families have lived here for generations these developers will leave once they make their money and we are stuck living here with all the traffic and acciddents while the move on.
It is important to attend these meetings, voice your opinions to your representatives if not by speaking write letters to them and to the Editors. Let your opinion be heard this is your hometown.
Earnhardt
11:18 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
So Glad mike Raymond took a stand against the St. Anthony development and the Dunkin expansion.. Oh WAIT! he DID NOT!!!. Now we will get this unwanted traffic congester in an already traffic congested area! obviosly, Mr. Raymond is in Mcsheffrey's back pocket. PS. How's the sandwiches at the drive through Mr. Raymond? For once, take a STAND! but as usual.. you won't.
Earnhardt
8:52 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
As I understand it. it's a done deal. Thanks again for selling out ward 6 Raymond.. I hope somebody.. ANYBODY, runs against you, If I didn't work nights I would! Oh here's a tip: Stop having the ward 2 alderman speak for us!
Sandy M.
11:19 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Yep, it will definitely cause more traffic. Sometimes development is a good thing. I think this is one spot where the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies. A new CVS is nice and all, but not in that area. It will cause more congestion and headaches in that neighborhood and not needed with a park (and the carnival). But, as usual, government approves this stuff first, then holds a public meeting just so they can say "don't say we didn't ask..." Please....
Karen
6:22 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Here we go again more buffoonery. Mr. Charlie's was painted like a circus tent before they even asked for permission. Now that's a wicked big surprise!!! Come on, do the higher ups running this city think the residents are a bunch of idiots?? Lets see, new bldgs either being built or are going to be built and we the people don't have a say until it's a done deal. Why don't the city officials just say it's their way or the highway? Route 38 is rundown as it is why don't you try to beautify this area, fix the existing traffic mess instead of adding to it, stop the drug dealing on various street corners and stop the kids that are harassing and vandalizing the neighborhoods. Pissed off.......