Anthony Street CVS Could Be Coming to Town

In a previous version of the story, it was reported that Seekonk Zoning Board members reviewed plans to build a CVS on Anthony Street. According to Town Planner John Hansen, it was Planning Board members who reviewed them.

A much-talked about Anthony Street CVS is well on its way to becoming a fixture in town after Seekonk Planning Board members gave thumbs up to plan reviews. 

Conversations with the board were an essential first step to transition the two residential lots on Anthony Street to a commercially zoned area, necessity for the CVS to be built. The parcels of land located at 16 and 24 Anthony St. are adjacent to commercial property which has remained untouched for 100 years.

“There were no negative comments ... and the positive recommendation will help. . . It’s not much a stretch,” said Hansen, who did not foresee the CVS as an issue.

The two proposed lots are currently residentially occupied. If the re-zoning is successful with a two-thirds vote in the Town Hall Meeting, a site-plan will then be submitted to additional boards whose members will address different facets of the property. Then pending the approvals, CVS will propose to buy the properties from the owners.

Since the lots border on wetlands, the Seekonk Conservation Board will have a voice in the matter; a parcel of land will be used to buffer the commercial and residential zones.

However, Hansen anticipates there may be some concerns from neighbors worried the CVS may encroach upon personal property. Residents within a certain radius have been informed of the potential zoning changes.

But before blueprints can become an architectural reality, the proposal will be presented before voters in the Town Hall meeting scheduled for June 20.

"It only takes 33 people to show up and say ‘no’ during the Town Meeting," said Hansen, noting the re-zone could be halted by voter objection.