New Retail Building Likely at the Five Corners

The Village Planning Board met on Wednesday February 24th to consider three projects – all of keen interest to community residents: First on the agenda was Citibabes. The newly opened family club for parents and children resides at 7 Popham Road, above the CVS on the Popham Road Bridge. Brian Dougherty, Citibabes Director of Sales and Operations went before the Planning Board to ask for permission to install branded awnings on the second floor windows of the building to increase the club’s visibility in the community.

He explained that the club occupies 10,000 square feet of space and that the company has made a $2 million investment in the facility. They have currently sold 200 memberships but hope to increase club usage by promoting the club with signage on window awnings.

As current village ordinances do not allow for awnings on second floor windows, the Board was concerned with creating a precedent that would permit all second story businesses throughout the village to add their name to window awnings. The Planning Board referred the application to the Board of Architectural Review for consideration.

Next up were the builders of Heathcote Manor – the nine home development currently going up on Weaver Street. Residents have expressed dismay about the imposing gray concrete wall that now borders the property. The developers were at the meeting to seek approval for stone veneer to cover the walls of the property. They proposed use of Connecticut fieldstone in natural hues to soften the walls’ appearance. They also let the Board know that they will be planting in front of the wall (where possible) and behind it, so that greenery could mask the facade and cascade over the top of the retaining walls. The Board approved the choice of stone.

Most controversial was the application of Heathcote Corners LLC for the construction of a 2-story 11,000 square foot building at the corner of Heathcote and Palmer Avenues. Developers arrived armed with the site plan, elevations and axonometric drawings to give the Board and the community a comprehensive look at the plan.

Last fall the developers sought to work with Balduccis to redesign their parking lot and integrate the Balduccis lot, entrances and exits with the new site. Unable to reach an agreement with Balduccis, Heathcote Corners LLC opted to submit an independent application for the site which includes two 5,500 square feet levels of above-ground retail space and two below-ground parking levels with 42 parking spaces.

Renderings showed a two story brick building with large doors centered on the corner where the gas station now stands. The entrance to the parking garage is next to the Balduccis lot. As only small trucks could access the below-grade parking lot for deliveries, the plans allow for a larger area for trucks to park on Heathcote Road. In response to past comments from the village, the ramps that will lead cars and small trucks to the parking spaces below have been widened to 12 feet.

A few members of the community and representatives from the Heathcote Five Corners Coalition were in attendance at the meeting. Questions arose about the use of a strip of village-owned land on Heathcote Road for truck parking and deliveries but the Board contended that this is currently done in the Village. Another resident asked how a fire could be put out in the sub-basement parking lot but was assured that the space would have sprinklers and hoses. The plans did not include details on signage and the Planning Board asked to see those as well as more technical specifications before final approval.

The Planning Board did appear to be inclined to approve the new building at their next meeting and it looks likely that developers will get the go ahead to move forward on this long-discussed project.