By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing Editor
Details surrounding a proposed Walgreen's pharmacy in Brewton will be up for discussion in a public hearing set for the end of May.
The city's planning commission met in a special session to hear the request of a rezoning matter made by Douglas Brothers LLC
The property is located at the northeast corner of Highway 31, Douglas Avenue and Douglas Lane. Douglas Brothers is requesting the property be rezoned from R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District to B-3 General Business District.
During the special session, the planning commission recommended the city council vote in favor of the rezoning with the request of several studies to be conducted by the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Several complaints were voiced at the meeting concerning the intersection, which is considered to be one of the most congested traffic areas and has a higher speed limit than other areas of the town.
In response to the concerns, the Commission has requested the ALDOT district engineer study the intersection for an additional length of the left turning lane as motorists head south. It was requested a left turn arrow be included in the traffic lights for those motorists.
The commission also requested ALDOT engineers to reduce the speed limit from the north city limit on US 31 heading south be reduced because of the traffic safety and speeders. The current speed limit is 40 mph.
If the rezoning is approved, the Walgreen's pharmacy would be approximately 15,000 sq. ft., and according to city Director of Community Development Pete Diurno, would bring in a lot of revenue for the city.
The public hearing was set for May 23.
The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will be held at 4 p.m. prior to the city council meeting.