A reworked plan for a CVS pharmacy at 15th Street and Utica Avenue won approval by Tulsa’s planning commission.
The commission denied store plans in December because it fell short of a small-area plan calling for mixed-use developments, increased density and pedestrian friendliness. Neighborhood residents also had complaints about the store’s appearance.
Attorney Lou Reynolds represents the developers and said they’ve made changes such as including a street-front door, moving the drive-thru and adding sidewalk-facing lighting.
"Some of these we've agreed on our own. Some we were asked to do, and with no quid pro quo, we've agreed to do this," Reynolds said.
Terrace Drive Neighborhood Association President Terry Meier was unimpressed by the store’s new plan.
"CVS has done a wonderful job of putting lipstick on a pig," Meier told the planning commission. "This is their box store. They have moved it around. The very first plan CVS proposed, obviously, completely disregarded the small-area plan."
Another change the company made was including more external brick work. Neighborhood resident Daniel Gomez said that had better be permanent brick, not veneers, and the building needs a functional second floor.
"There's a lot of competition in the pharmacy market. If CVS doesn't last the 20 years they think, at least, they're going to last, I want the building to be convertible to a new use," Gomez said. "I want all this written into the plan."
Tulsa’s city council will now consider the planning commission’s recommendation for approval.
