The expected fireworks never materialized Monday as the Village of Cobleskill Planning Board gave final approval to plans for a CVS at the corner of East Main Street and Trestle Lane.
Donald Zee, developer for the project, which has been in discussion since January, said they hope to break ground on the 13,600 square-foot drug store by the fall so interior work can continue over the winter.
About 25 people turned out for Monday’s public hearing on the project; those who spoke talked of the need for a drive-thru pharmacy and the jobs and sales tax revenues the store will provide.
That’s in contrast to charges Village Trustee and former Planning Board chairman Mark Galasso made that “the Planning Board is trying to tank the project.”
Mr. Galasso told Mayor Mike Sellers and fellow trustees last Tuesday that he’d received emails indicating Planning Board members were considering not approving CVS, even though it had already received the necessary variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and an OK from the County Planning Commission.
Mr. Galasso asked trustees for a resolution supporting the project and recommending that the Planning Board approve it; Trustee Bob LaPietra seconded it.
Though they both said they didn’t agree with the sentiment, Trustees Sandy MacKay and Linda Holmes said it was unnecessary and since they hadn’t reviewed the plans themselves, felt uncomfortable voting on the resolution.
Mr. MacKay, also a former Planning Board member, said he was also concerned about the precedent it would set, pointing out planners are more than qualified to make the decision on their own.
In the end. Mr. MacKay and Ms. Holmes abstained from voting and Mr. Galasso, Mr. LaPietra, and Mayor Sellers voted in favor of it.
They needn’t have worried.
Jason Rose of Cobleskill spoke in favor of the project as something that would serve the elderly and disabled because of its drive-thru pharmacy window.
“This is the future,” he said.
Mr. Rose also spoke of the estimated 24 jobs CVS will create, most of them, Mr. Zee said, fulltime.
Sarah Ericson, said she’s the mother of a severely disabled child and is thrilled with the idea of a drive-thru pharmacy.
Mayoral hopeful Mark Nadeau said the drug store is needed and Phyllis Chianucci, chair of the ZBA and former Key Bank president, said it’s time better use was made of that part of the village.
“There used to be beautiful houses there,” she said, “but they’re not beautiful anymore…Most of them have been repossessed. Something has to be done.”
Others spoke to the need of being friendly to business and the construction jobs the project will create.
“I know when we start the budget process…the tax revenue is going to come in handy,” Mr. Galasso added.
According to Mr. Zee, the store is expected to create “several million dollars worth of improvements to the community and tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, in sales tax revenue.”
Still to be finalized is landscaping at the store.
The building is described as “Colonial-looking” and street lights will resemble those already on the village’s east End.