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MEGAN SCOTTThe plan is the developer's second attempt at building on the 5-acre site. A Publix store was rejected earlier.
DUNEDIN - After more than two years, commissioners gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a developer's proposal for a Walgreens pharmacy at the corner of Patricia Avenue and Union Street.
The approval means Dunedin and SR Development Inc. can move forward with an agreement on building the 14,820-square-foot drugstore. If everything goes as planned, the Walgreens could be up before the end of next year.
"We anticipate from this step forward, it will be smooth," said Tim Johnson, the land use attorney who is representing the developer. "But even with smooth sailing, it's a long journey."
Stephen Roth, owner of SR Development, has been working for more than two years to purchase property from Faith Presbyterian Church. He had originally wanted to build a Publix on the 5-acre site. But commissioners rejected the proposal after residents voiced concerns about increased noise and traffic.
He came back to the commission in March 2003 with the plan for the Walgreens.
"Obviously we would have preferred the Publix," Johnson said. "You don't always get what you want. A bigger project has higher rewards but more risks."
But even though the drug store would be less than half the size of the supermarket, commissioners still had some concerns, including the hours of operation and the drug store's proximity to Dunedin Highland Middle School.
The proposed Walgreens will not be a 24-hour drugstore, and deliveries will be limited to between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
"One of the things that greatly concerned us was the impact with the kids that are coming home from school," Commissioner Dave Eggers said. "We are going to have at least one school or two schools that send their kids home that way."
Roth has agreed to construct 8-foot-wide sidewalks that are 15 feet from the curb. Walgreens will also have an Old Florida look, a landscaped area and a parking lot with decorative lighting.
He even found a way to preserve three historic oak trees.
"I'm glad to see the trees are being preserved," Commissioner Julie Scales said. "As much as you can tell from a drawing like this, it will be a nice project."
The proposed drugstore takes up about 2.6 acres of the site. Roth plans to deed the leftover property to the adjacent property owners.
"I'm pleased to see that you worked with the neighbors," Commissioner Deborah Kynes said. "Many of the points that we brought up, you made significant concessions. I appreciate that."
Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com