Agenda - Planning Commission - 01/04/2000

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Him:,rlc Landm=rks Found=don olelndizn= Chicago, and we wanted to ensure that the new stores contributed to the viability of our shopping districts by making them similar in character to traditional storefronts on commercial streets," says Jack Swenson, deputy commissioner of zoning. "We asked the company to rethink its site plan and store design. Ultimately, they came back to the table in partnership with us." The agreement establishes guidelines for site plans, facade treatment, building height, landscaping, and signs. Key elements provide that: · The building should abut the property line along at least one principal street. · Drive-through windows should not be located along a principal street. · Primary facades should be oriented to public streets. · Decorative elements.., shall be used to increase the building character. This CVS drugstore (above) replaced a 19th-century Quaker meeting home (inset) in a prominent location in Richmond, Indiana. Mature trees on the lot were cleared away j~r an asphalt parking lot. The city planning department's urban design go~ls for new commercial buildings include bringing back store- fronts with large transparent glass display windows, built along the edge of the sidewalk--the way Chicago was traditionally developed. Yet, Walgreens stores have multiplied across the city in typical form, with single-story buildings and large expanses of blank wall surrounded by asphalt. The buildings undermined the planning department's objectives, but were permissible due to the lack of any urban design review. When the scope and speed of the corporation's expansion plans became apparent--35 stores planned for Chicago in 1999--the planning department approached Waigreens with its concerns. "Walgreens was making a major corporate commitment to Swenson explains: "This is not just an aesthetic issue, it's an economic development issue. IfWalgreens or any other retailer builds stores that do not fit into the existing pattern of develop- ment, the store becomes a separate [car-oriented] destination, rather than part ora shopping district. It detracts from the ability of pedestrians to move comfortably from store to store." He emphasizes that the city is pleased with the Wa[greens agreement. The city has also entered into discussions with Osco, a smaller drugstore chain. In June, an ordinance went into effect, requiring &ny business with a drive-through window to- obtain a special use permit. The Case of Burlington, Vermont · Burlington, Vermont (pop. 39,000), obtained a better-than- usual design and site plan for a Rite Aid drugstore by the more traditional means of a city plan reinforced by zoning. The Burlington Municipal Plan of Development is straightforward and clear in its goals for streetscape design. The plan states that "a uniform front and sid.e yard setback along a street creates a consistent building edge and a well defined public space.., in industrial and commercial areas, off-street parking should not ( be allowed in front of buildings." 5~? The Rite Aid proposal was not without controversy, despite ~ the developer's cooperation with an advisory design review ~u~l,u~0w commission, although enhanced with trees, landscaping, a bus ~ll committee. The site plan presented to the planning lb' Ri0 IRONIOUtL r 0R~[RTtt I~0N ~l--}-~[~..o~"' O(CUR IN 61t[[[ JEll / t" SION[ D[IIIUNG AWNINGS New Wa/greens drugstores in Chicago, like this two-story store in the Greektown neighborhood, will have brick facades, stone detailing, large display windows set against the sidewalk, rear parking, second-floor uses, connect[viO, with adjacent buildings, and other traditional features.