Aberdeen Delays Approval of New CVS

As of Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A proposed retail development near the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 15-501 that features a CVS pharmacy remains on hold for the Aberdeen Town Council.

The town commissioners are still seeking answers regarding traffic, parking, road improvements and signage for the development. The commissioners delayed a vote on a permit for the development during a special meeting Monday night.

“That is the most heavily trafficked intersection in Moore County,” Commissioner Alan Parker said. “At this point you don’t have a plan approved by DOT.”

Parker said safety is his primary concern. The development is anticipated to generate 4,700 additional vehicle trips a day when done, according to a traffic analysis.

“It is not my intent to deprive anyone of the opportunity to develop their land,” he said.

Nick Lukens, who represented the applicant at the meeting, said he was “confused at delaying it (the project) again.”

He requested that the commissioners approve the permit first, rather than wait for the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT).

If the commissioners were to approve the permit and then the DOT proposes significant changes, the project would have to come back to the board again, causing further delays, town planner Kathy Liles said.

“That could have the developer in purgatory,” she said.

The commissioners and representatives from the developer haggled over other issues like the number of parking spaces in the development, what type of improvements, if any, would be made to a road in the plan, and the number and type of signs the proposed development would have.

Earlier this spring, the town Planning Board recommended the permit, provided the developer meets a lengthy list of conditions.

The commissioners don’t meet in July, so there was hope that the DOT would review the plan soon so that the town could hold another special meeting.

The commissioners seemed to expect that the report from the DOT would be coming this week.

“Surely they are working on this,” Commissioner Jim Thomas said. “We can call every hour if we have to to get the right person to look at it and make a decision.”

The permit for retail sales with high-volume traffic generation is being sought for an application filed by Moseley Real Estate Advisors. It affects land owned by Huntley Family Limited Partnership and Bonnie McPeake.

The permit would include three main parcels that could be developed. The main parcel calls for a CVS pharmacy. Development on the other two parcels has not been formalized yet.

The development plan calls for demolition of the Sizzlin’ Steak or Eggs building as well as at least partial removal of the Sandhills Office Park. The Sizzlin’ Steak or Eggs plans to relocate to a new location across U.S. 1 from Mac’s Breakfast Anytime.

During the meeting, the commissioners also unanimously approved the town’s 2012-2013 budget. The budget includes a $6.48 million general fund and an additional $2.45 million in the water-sewer fund, totaling $8.9 million.

The tax rate would remain unchanged at 43 cents per $100 property valuation, but there is a 5 percent water-sewer rate increase.

In addition, there are several capital expenditures in the proposed budget, including a knuckle boom truck ($120,000) for the Public Works Department and four vehicles for the Police Department.

The knuckle boom truck is a dump truck with a movable crane-like arm.

The water-sewer rate increase will aid in the expansion and upgrade project at the Addor wastewater treatment plant. Because of growth, Moore County is expanding the plant’s capacity to grow from 6.7 million gallons per day to 10 million gallons per day.

Water customers pay a base rate and then an additional charge based on usage.

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey@thepilot.com.

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hippiern 11 months ago

Keep screwing around and maybe they'll move out of aberdeen. Why is it so hard for business to locate in moore co. this area needs jobs so bad. we let all these old retirees make the decisions. its time for mo co cities to elect some younger blood into town councils.

Sean 11 months ago

It sounds like they are being prudent and cautious; trying to get the job done right the first time instead of re-visiting the issue down the road.

cooldaddy 11 months ago

Chickens....put chickens on the lot. That gets the boards attention for 6 months or so.

TooHot 11 months ago

“That is the most heavily trafficked intersection in Moore County,” - doubtful....

Definitely one of the ugliest tho. Anything developed there will be a vast improvement.

JAP 11 months ago

TooHot,

Not "doubtful". Fact.

JAP

DoubleHeroides 11 months ago

@TooHot: Yeah, I’m going to side with JAP on this, I certainly don’t have any numbers to back it up but anecdotally and by common sense that intersection would be the busiest in the county. Do you have an alternative intersection that you believe to be busier all around than 15-501 and US in Aberdeen?

DingoMike 11 months ago

Why do some people think that another drug store in our area will be a good thing?? We already have enough of those stores to handle the number of people that live here. The number of jobs created will not impact our area in a big way in the least. The big impact will be in the traffic congestion that will occur as well as the number of auto accidents that will increase. When will some folks start to realize that most of us DO NOT want live in CARY or Raleigh. We have enough boneheaded drivers around here already.

mymindwanders 11 months ago

Unfortunately, I think the cat is out of the bag as far as growth in this area. But it is nice somebody is paying attention at the Aberdeen Town Board. Toohot- That intersection is very busy at certain times & will be ridicuously busy if we have another strip mall type business there. No way around that.Till, U.S.1 bypass comes anyway.I'm guessing within 10 years. Great...

Bflat 11 months ago

I remember when there was just about nothing but the Clam Box on US 1, Belk's was in downtown Aberdeen (small store) and there was nothing much but an old K-mart over near where Pet Smart is now. Things were moving up when T&C shopping center came along. Yes, growth is fast and furious right now....