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#2417 - Amend B-5: Add Drugstore Use <br />November 10,1998 <br />Page 3 <br />The B-5 District was created in 1975 apparently to accommodate existing businesses adjacent to <br />single family residential areas. The apparent intent was to limit the intensity of uses in the B-5 <br />District to those which would not only be good neighbors, but provide a valuable service to the <br />surrounding neighborhood. Consequently, the number of properties zoned B-5 is extremely limited. <br />Proposed DrugstoreUse <br />Thi drugstore' use as listed in the B-1 and B-3 districts is defined as "Drugs, candv. ice cream, soft <br />drintcs. cosmetics and other other usual drug store merchandise ". This listing was apparently created <br />as part of the 1975 zoning code revisions, since it doesn't appear in the 1967 code. The range of <br />merchandise and services associated with a 'drugstore' use has probably changed somewhat since <br />1975, now commonly including on-site 1-hour photo processing service and coolers for a range of <br />perishable as well as non-perishable take-away foods. The drive-thru pharmacy is also a relatively <br />recent concept. The sit-down soda fountain is less common than it was in the past. <br />Is ’Drugstore' Use Appropriate in the B-5 District Generally? <br />Planning Commission should consider the following questions in determining whether a drugstore <br />use might be acceptable within the B-5 District: <br />1. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />Is the drugstore use consistent with the intent of the B-5 district: <br />Does it supply commodities or perform a service primarily for residents in the <br />surrounding neighborhood, or does it have a wider, more regional market <br />base? <br />Is it a low traffic generator or a high traffic generator? <br />Does it necessitate a reasonable amount of hardcover or an inordinate amount <br />of hardcover? <br />How will the proposed drugstore use impact the neighborhood? 1 raffic? Lighting? Odors <br />or noises? Hours of operation? On-site parking? Open space? Are these impacts a result of <br />the drugstore use itself, or a result of the size, location, orientation and design of the building <br />regardless of the specific use? <br />Can the identified impacts be mitigated or avoided by adherence to existing performance <br />standards? If not, would it be appropriate to establish additional performance standards? <br />Would the drugstore use be appropriate generally on the other Orono properties zoned B-5, <br />if a suitable B-5 site other than 2380 Shady'wood was available? Are any/all of the properties <br />zoned B-5 in Orono, located where a drugstore use would have acceptable impacts on the <br />surrounding neighborhood?