Rite Aid wins approval
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON — An application proposing the construction of a Rite Aid pharmacy has been approved by the Planning Board, following a previous 4-4 vote to deny the application.

At issue was the traffic congestion that could occur if the county did not install left turn arrow signals at the intersection of Bennetts Mills and North Cooks Bridge roads.

The plan came back before the board on Nov. 20.

“If the county puts in lights would you change your vote?” Chairman George Bressi asked the board members who had previously voted to deny the application.

Board members Eileen Tobasco and George McKay changed their votes from no to yes providing the county installs the left turn traffic controls at all four corners where the Rite Aid will be constructed.

Voting yes to approve the application were Robert Hudak, Angelo Stallone, William Cook, Bressi, McKay and Tobasco. Voting no were board members Todd Porter and Blanche Krubner.

On Dec. 4, the board memorialized its approval for the new store.

The proposed 11,513-square-foot pharmacy will sit on a 2-acre site in a neighborhood commercial zone. The pharmacy will have a drive-up window and parking for 44 vehicles.

Storm water management is proposed through a series of inlets which will discharge into a detention basin.

Previously, attorney Ray Shea reviewed the history of the application.

Project engineer Michael Pucci described the site and the building structure.

He pointed to a reduction in signs to 163 square feet for a total of nine signs. He also described building and parking setbacks, trash enclosures, detention basins, sewer service and tree modifications.

Traffic engineer John Rea reviewed a traffic study he made, noting driveways, the level of service, the 44 parking spaces and circulation within the site.

Of major concern was the traffic at the intersection of Bennetts Mills and North Cooks Bridge roads and Shea said the concerns could be handled at the county level.