Mattapoisett property owner Wayne Walega confirmed on Tuesday that a deal to build a 13,000 square foot CVS pharmacy on the corner of Route 6 and North Street was terminated.
In a statement released from Walega Associates of 24 North Street, the deal termination was due to “development issues that could not be resolved… after a year of on and off discussions between the parties”.
Neighbor reaction to the proposal was largely negative, with some abutters sending letters to the Wanderer editor expressing concern about the impact a CVS could have on area traffic and Mattapoisett’s aesthetic.
At a November 21 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, Mr. Walega and CVS developer representative Paul Beck had presented preliminary plans showing the large building flush on the corner of Route 6 and North Street, with entrances and exits on North and Mechanic Streets. As a part of the construction at the Village Business-zoned site, three buildings, including a historic multi-unit home, a single-family residence and the former location of Seaport Village coffee shop would have been razed.
The planning board showed concern for the scope of the project, saying that 65 parking spaces and a large building would create a lot of traffic issues for the location, and would open the door to further chain development on the Route 6 corridor of Mattapoisett.
“If you’re coming into Mattapoisett, this CVS building is the first thing you’re going to see. I can imagine the public hearings we’re going to see,” said board member Robert McNamara said at the meeting. “You are picking a primo spot in Mattapoisett, and telling the people that they are going to triple the traffic there.”
The plans for a CVS had included a drive-thru for the pharmacy. Planning Board Chairman Thomas Tucker had informed Mr. Walega at the meeting that drive-thrus were prohibited by Mattapoisett bylaws, and could only be obtained through a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Beck had emphasized the importance of a drive-thru for CVS’s interest in proceeding with the new location.
Mr. Walega, a resident of North Street himself, said that he wanted to work with CVS to construct a building with dormers and architectural detail that would fit into a seaside community. According to Walega Associates, Mr. Walega “requested that CVS build a building that would be traditional in architectural design much like certain CVS sites located in similar towns on the Cape. Unfortunately, an acceptable design could not be agreed upon between the parties.”
A major issue in the agreement was the size of the proposed building, Mr. Walega said.
At this time, Mr. Walega said that he has no further development plans for the site and he “hopes to re-lease [the] units to businesses that will serve the greater Mattapoisett community.”
A call seeking comment from CVS developer firm Gershman, Brown, and Crowley was not returned before Wanderer deadline.
By Anne Kakley