N. Woburn Rumor is Real: CVS Petitions City

A rumor has become reality, as developers proposing a CVS in North Woburn have officially filed a petition with the .

According to Planning Director Ed Tarallo, the special permit application was submitted Thursday afternoon around lunch time.

about changes in North Woburn, since a portion of the Dunkin' Donuts/Convenient 38 strip mall was .

"They must come before the City Council in special permits to do this," said Alderman Richard Gately.

Mr. Charlie's is expected to speak to the City Council about the paint and possible move Tuesday. Now, CVS has filed paperwork to move into Mr. Charlie's old location, and is also listed on the City Council's Tuesday agenda.

According to Alderman Mike Raymond, direct abutters to Mr. Charlie's met with developers on Aug. 2 to discuss the CVS proposal.

"The petitioner introduced the preliminary plans to those present and resident concerns and questions were addressed," said Ald. Raymond.

According to the alderman, the project site is zoned "business highway" and several property owners in the area have sold their property to make the lot larger.

"The Historic Commission inspected all the homes and buildings involved on this site," he said. "The Commission has determined that these properties have no historic value and are proposed to be demolished."

But many are concerned about the CVS project, and what kind of traffic it would bring to an already crowded North Woburn area.

"It would be nice to have the convience of a CVS there, but what a mess of traffic it would cause," said Woburn Patch reader Jodi.

North Woburn resident Dianne Autenzio said that a new drug store is not needed, especially with the proposed 40B project also still on the table for the neighborhood.

"Route 38 will be like a miniature Route 28 in Stoneham, only we only have one lane for each side," she said.

The 40B project, which is still at the Board of Appeals level, will be discussed on Sept. 11 at City Hall at 7 p.m. Meetings for the Mr. Charlie's/CVS proposal have not been set yet.

 

What are Mr. Charlie's and CVS asking?

According to the City Clerk's office, the following items are on the City Council's table regarding the Mr. Charlie's/CVS proposal:

• special permit to allow alteration of nonconforming use and structure to relocate Mr. Charlie’s, to allow for 47 parking spaces, and for alteration of existing nonconforming sign at 880 Main Street. (Petitioner: Robert McSheffrey)
• special permit to allow for the sale or rental of automobiles, trucks, truck trailers and motorcycles and for a Second Class Motor Vehicle Sales License, all at 880 Main Street. (Petitioner: Robert McSheffrey)
• special permit to allow for 1. Retail establishment greater than 15,000 g.f.a, and 2. Drive-up customer service facility, all at 1 School Street, 3 School Street, 13 School Street, 891 Main Street, 893 Main Street and 895 Main Street. (Petitioner: Main Street Woburn RX, LLC)

 

Current North Woburn Projects & Proposals

1. Alzheimer residence—859 Main St.
2. Four-family dwelling construction (town houses)—960 Main St.
3. CVS—corner of School and Main streets (Mr. Charlie's location)
4. 40B proposed project—1042 Main St. (also referred to as the Woburn Quarry)
5. Condo project—1071 Main St.
6. Condo project—859 Main St.