Compromise

Had you attended the May 31 NDR Committee meeting, you would have heard numerous suggestions made for compromise, all rejected by CVS. Here are a few of the compromises suggested. Downsize and complete the entire project, including parking within the 150 feet encroachment that the NSN Plan recommends. How about one drive through rather than two? How about a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly front elevation on 4th Street North, perhaps like the CVS store in Garden City, N.J.and less expansive parking lot? How about not having an egress onto narrow, oneway 8th Ave. North that will encourage increased traffic east on that street? Would you consider not selling beer and wine? Would you consider closing earlier than midnight each night? The Auditorium at the Sunshine Center was filled--ask some of those who attended about suggestions for compromise and the responses. Lane Lastinger asked very respectfully if MetroGroup-CVS would voluntarily postpone the June 15 City Council meeting in order for residents to have a bit more time to become informed and to participate in perhaps discussing alternatives with CVS--the answer was no.

CVS

John,

I understand your frustration. Up until 4 weeks ago, I was sitting in my house, minding my own business and never thinking I would be involved in anything like this.

I hope this issue helps other neighbors to get involved in what is happening in the community they live in. It lit a fire under my butt for sure. As they say, it sometimes takes only one voice to institute change, maybe it could be yours...

As for the design committee, don't quote me but I think anyone who is a paid member of the association can be on it. That's how I got invloved, no elections, just show up,get involved. The 22 people who voted were all homeowners or residents. I assure you I know of no PR campaign that has been instituted. It's just neighbors,most of who never even knew each other before 4 weeks ago, I know it's hard to believe, but true. Each person in the community has the right to represent his or her own interests in anything that happens here. It's like anything else, your vote counts, be a part of it, no matter what your choice is, just be heard. Do undersatnd, CVS itself is not the only problem we as a neighborhood have. It's the re-zoning of residential homes to commercial uses. It can happen on every block in our neighborhood unless we are aware of it and stop it before our neighborhood is systematically eroded away. Learn more, meet your neighbors, make an informed decision that you are comfortable with. The most important thing is you are now interested, that's good, it will take you to the next step...

As for the house on Coffe Pot, I like you was devasted by that loss, my understanding is the Association was unaware of that happening until it was too late. So sad, I am sure someone more qualified will tell you more about it after reading your inquiry.

The apple green house on 16th, can't agree with you more, whoa, way out of character to the neighborhood, I am curious too, I think I'll ask at the next meeting...

You are right 4th street is zoned commercial, but as I have learned in the past few weeks, we have a commercial set-back of 150 feet for both the buildings and parking on 4th street. Companies are coming in, asking and getting variances that will allow them to go further into our neighborhood with commercial development. So your block can eventually be affected too! Cvs is just a part of a much bigger picture that might not be so pretty or so positive in our neighborhood in the years to come.

As for the celebrities...that is my brainchild, because the local celebs both have historic homes and are friends and former clients of mine. They can bring attention and assistance to matters of great importance to all of St. Pete, not just us in the Old NorthEast. We are not the only neighborhood going through these issues, believe me. As for National attention, my contacts in hollywood would be very interested in working for a worthy cause.Protecting the Irreplaceable (which is the theme for the National Trust for Historic Preservation)is a good thing to be associated with. And if it helps St. Pete in the long run, great for us.

I hope you will be at the meeting, get educated and make the decision that is right for you. As a resident, that is your choice and your right. I look forward to meeting you. Keep writing!


By Suzanne O'Neill

To Callie

I think people have the wrong idea regarding the 22 people who voted. They are not a committee representing the neighborhood. They are neighbors, who chose to get involved, many of them board members as well. Don't be upset by the vote, be a part of it. You have just as much right as any other neighbor. If your are not a member of the Association,please join. If you want to know more, come to the special meeting on the 13th and get informed. It's your right and you shouldn't be upset with the outcome if you are not interested in being involved. YOU COUNT!!!Let everyone know it.

By Suzanne O'Neill

To Paul

I don't think any one is opposed to re-development of our downtown. Especially the area around Watsons. Remember that just observing as you did, other businesses that may or may not go back 150 feet or more, is not the only issue it's what comes in there that also must be of concern. This can be a trendy area, we could look at Art Galleries, specialty shops, small retail establishments that fit the community. Is an 11,000 Sq Ft drug super store the right replacement to what's there? It will still sell beer and alcohol and could be open 24 hours if they think it's "good" for the neighborhood. 2 drive through prescription lanes,67 parking spaces, the demolition of potentially significant historic buildings, and they could leave the neighborhood in 5,7,10 years, sell the property and because of the re-zoning anything can go in there and we as a neighborhood would have no say because we agreed to the re-zoning in the first place. And if CVS passes the test between 8th and 9th, it's a domino effect, others can ask for and get re-zoning on every block through-out the neighborhood. Is this the direction we want for developing our downtown? I Hope not. Learn more, come to the meetings, be a voice that makes informed decisions.

By Suzanne