Zoners deny variance for Walgreens

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - An application seeking a variance to permit the construction of a Walgreens pharmacy on the corner of Route 9 north and East Freehold Road has been denied.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment denied granting the variance at its May 24 meeting.

The Cornerstone Group, whose application for a use variance proposed razing the existing Shore Power and Sport building, sought to construct a 14,820-square-foot Walgreens pharmacy on the 1.8-acre parcel.

The property is in a CMX-3/A zone which does not permit the construction of a pharmacy. The granting of a variance would have permitted the project to go forward.

"This was a use variance and you have to show good reasons" for requesting a variance from the zoning regulations that are in place, said Dennis Galvin, the attorney for the zoning board. "The board found that there were a lot of pharmacies in near proximity. The fact that [Walgreens] would be open 24 hours would have an impact on the surrounding neighborhood. We think there can be better use for [the proposed site]."

One objector to the application was Pond Road Associates, which owns the Pond Road Plaza shopping center a short distance from the corner where the Walgreens was being proposed.

Galvin noted that there was a lot of public participation at the May 24 meeting. Many residents had spoken out against the Walgreens application at previous zoning board meetings when the case was heard.

- Elana Aron