Yes the CVS VICTORY on Wednesday of this week was a victory for North shore.
A unanimous vote by the EDC on all variances and the main site plan approval.

Only four people spoke from the public during the public hearing portion of the meeting. All in favor. So, there it is. Just like I said it would be
back on May 8th, and at every stop in between. This was a worthy project for North Shore. This owner/applicant had every right to apply and seek approvals. He had selected his site appropriately. He followed the zoning and landuse regulations, NDR, NRD and the tenants of the Fourth Street Commercail Corridor Redevelopment Guidelines. All of you, who said I and the few who agreed with me, were wrong, were wrong. I tried to lead. I can't help it if people don't know the criteria for proper development and then put me down when I try to explain it. Remember, the Stop CVS movement was an emotionally based response to a technical issue. The two usually do not mix. And, in this case did not mix.

The final public votes, were:

Planning Commission (6-1) Note:
the one vote was for historic
preservation, not for zoning
and thus that vote should not
have been cast in the
descent. The true vote
should have been 7-0.

City Council (5-0)

E. D. C. (7-0)

So, all you Stop CVS'ers got mad at me when all I was trying to do was lead appropriately, with the facts, on the correct side of the issue. Now since I was on the proper side and you all were not, what have you all got to say now. How about throwing some more stones. I'm ready. After all, you all have given me your best shot these last four months and I'm still here.

By Steven D. Lange

Good compromise

Thank you to Steve Kip, Kate Hoffman, Lane Lastinger, Felix Fudge, the National Trust architect and the others who worked with the city and CVS to make this a project that is much more compatible with the Old Northeast than what was presented intitially. Their perserverance paid off. And thanks to all the residents and members of our neighborhood association who spoke up and forced CVS to compromise.

Good Compromise

Thank you to the interested, dedicated, intelligent neighbors who researched the intial proposal and who went door-to-door with information. Thanks to all those who turned out at NDR meetings to ask good questions and voice valid concerns. Thanks to Jim Martin and his team for great research and an excellent presentation at the NDR meeting where we voted. Thanks to the special committee of the NDR, which was appointed by the Board, Steve Kipp, Joan Escardo, Lane Lastinger, Felix Fudge, and Kate Hoffman for their dedication to finding a compromise that would allow for commercial development that is more compatible with the neighborhood than the original proposal. Thanks to all who participated in a positve process! Community activism at its best!!

Correction/Addendum

Jim Martin's team's presentation occurred at the Special Membership Meeting, I think. And thanks to all those who worked to see that a Special Membership Meeting occurred.