Another Belmont Avenue CVS Proposal: What's Your Reaction?
The pharmacy would replace a defunct gas station at the Rock Hill Road intersection. Share your view in the comments section.
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Last fall, Summit Realty approached Lower Merion Township with a plan to build a CVS at the corner of Belmont Avenue and Rock Hill Road.
A split Planning Commission gave conditional support to the plan, but the Board of Commissioners did not move forward with it.
Now the developer has returned with an adjusted plan, which is described in a township-administration memo attached to this article.
The plan will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Monday and again at the Building and Planning Committee Wednesday night.
Part of the memo describes how the developer plans to compensate the township for allowing vehicle access onto Belmont Avenue, just south of the intersection:
The applicant has offered to demolish the former gas station and canopy on the Township parcel and to create a trailhead for the Cynwyd Heritage Trail by installing sidewalks, parking, gateway landscaping, benches, signage and bike racks. The applicant will also pay to realign the intersection of Rock Hill Road and Belmont Avenue and install the required stormwater management for those road improvements.
A Patch poll in December found a majority of readers in favor of the development plan.
In the comments section below, tell us: Where do you stand? In favor, against, or do you need to hear more details?
fed up
10:36 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
Traffic in that area is already terrible. That intersection already needs to be widened.
An unnecessary drugstore of any kind will just exacerbate the situation.
Apuch
10:43 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
Already a congested area due to the access point for I76 and traffic going to and from Manayunk to Main Line. Not sure if a CVS is needed or if there will be enough parking if it does prove profitable.
Eric Campbell
10:55 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
Is there a business that would make sense there? Is the eyesore of the abandoned gas station a factor?
jerry
11:30 am on Monday, September 10, 2012
Sure, why not, the robbers can steal and then hop onto the expressway for a quick getaway. And I agree, it's a bad place for that kind of traffic. And what an ugly way to enter the Township.
jeff dobkin
12:57 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
I think this CVS is a great idea. But I digress for a moment: I was thinking just the other day what would I put right across the street from the Rite Aid on Bryn Mawr and City Line and hold on! Certainly - a CVS came right into my mind. Brilliant! So, yes! A CVS. Then we can contact Rite Aid and tell they there's an old gas station right across the street that will be available for them as soon as the CVS opens...
PS - as far as the parking - are they talking about parking for all people who use the Cynwyd Trail, or parking for people when they go into CVS? And, exactly how many parking spaces are they talking about. Better find out up front!
And, those benches sound attractive, too - I've always thought I just don't spend enough time sitting idly on benches in CVS parking lots.
jerry
5:02 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I agree, I've been searching for a new place to sit on benches!
Suzanne Misher
4:53 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Please use some sence and don't allow CVS to build a store there. How many do we need. Use the land for something that we need; like a small BYOB, bike rental combination. The closed gas station across the street be used as a parking lot for those using tne trail and want to get breakfast or lunch. Are we that "hard up" tor tax dollars?
In addition tne traffic there is terrible.
fed up
5:29 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
I agree with Suzanne. I think a small restaurant for take-out or quick food is great. Maybe Lee's hoagies could move there. Anything but another drugstore!!
College Park Resident
12:03 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I think it's shameful that the township owns that disgusting eyesore that is the former Coastal station. It now has trees growing through the roof! It is embarrassing to residents of Bala Cynwyd who have to drive from the Expressway on Belmont to get to their homes. If the township doesn't soon allow something positive to go into that space, then the township should at least raze the building and maintain that corner as a park space. It has sat abandoned and overgrown far too long already.