By Moses Leos III
A nearly 15,000 square foot CVS pharmacy near the corner of FM 1626 and RM 967 is on it’s way to opening by 2016.
On July 15, the Buda City Council approved the first reading of a rezoning that allows CVS to set up shop near the heavily traveled intersection. A second reading is scheduled for August 5.
“CVS Pharmacy is a positive for the city of Buda in providing services and products which are needed in the area,” City Manager Kenneth Williams said in an emailed response. “This store should provide a boost to economic development in the 967-1626 intersection. We thank CVS for choosing Buda as a location.”
Initial discussions between the city and CVS’ design company, Big Red Dog, began in January. According to Chance Sparks, director of planning in Buda, the city wasn’t sure what was planned at the intersection.
“At the time, they were inquiring about properties,” Sparks said. “Over time, we got to see the project come together and materialize.”
The company has since gone through the land assembly process. That includes the city working with Big Red Dog and CVS’ real estate broker, First Hartford, to identify parcels of land for sale.
“They put down an option contract contingent on working through any permit issues and zoning issues,” Sparks said. “That’s their way of saying they are serious at looking at a property.”
However, to move forward, Big Red Dog and CVS applied to rezone the affected 4.2 acres. Originally, the property CVS sought was zoned for agricultural use.
The city then reviewed the application to ensure it was the right fit for the area.
“We take a look at their proposal, and then we see what’s our infrastructure is like, what’s our comprehensive plans say, and if are there any compatibility issues with adjacent landowners,” Sparks said.
Speeding the process along were the deed restrictions in place for Marlboro Country, the subdivision affected by the move. According to Sparks, the subdivision approved the land for commercial use in 2007.
However, the process forced Big Red Dog to acquire signatures to allow for abandonment for the right-of-way along Eulalah Lane.
“We’ve dealt with the affected property owners,” Cliff Kendall, prinicipal and designer at Big Red Dog, said. “They were great to work with.”
The Eulalah Lane abandonment will play a role in Chapter 380 agreements Buda has with CVS.
Sparks said the agreements would be used as a vehicle to sell the right-of-way.
With rezoning nearly complete, CVS now prepares to begin construction. According to Mike DeAngelis, CVS Director of Public Relations, construction is slated to begin in the middle of 2015, with the store opening in 2016.
High visibility was the primary reason for bringing CVS to the FM 1626 and RM 967 intersection. According to a 2013 Hays County traffic count, 11,400 cars traveled along FM 1626 near the location site on a daily basis.
“The intersection of 1626 and 967 meets our criteria for new store locations – a well-trafficked, highly visible site that provides convenient access for our customers,” DeAngelis said.
However, with the store “in the very early planning stages,” DeAngelis said the company doesn’t have specific details at this time. Per CVS policy, the company does not disclose development or construction costs.
The new store, which is projected to be 14,700 square feet, would be the second CVS pharmacy located in the area. A CVS pharmacy in Kyle opened in 2012.
