The proposed CVS in East Watertown will come back in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the second time on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The last time it came before the ZBA, the meeting ran about five hours and many residents spoke against having the 13,300 square foot pharmacy at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets.
Many say it is too big for the Coolidge Square area. Residents of Wells Avenue – which runs behind the parking lot behind the store – say that the new store would remove buildings that block noise and light from the major intersection from impacting their houses.
Traffic, however, is the biggest concern, in part because the project as proposed would change traffic patterns slightly. While cars can enter the lot from Arlington Street or Wells Avenue, they will all have to leave through Wells Avenue, a one-way street that hits Bigelow Avenue near Mt. Auburn Street. In addition, people will not be able to make a left from Arlington Street to get into the CVS parking lot.
ZBA members also had suggestions for how the store would look, the landscaping and other items. The Planning Board voted against giving the project its support, citing the traffic problems.
The ZBA will meet in the Council Chamber in Town Hall on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.