St. Albans council has taken two actions aimed at helping clear the way for construction of a new CVS Pharmacy on the lot now occupied by Appalachian Tire.
Council on Tuesday evening approved a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Board that CVS's petition be approved that asked the city to abandon a portion of Lewis Avenue between Second and Third streets. Council had referred the request to the Planning and Zoning Board on May 2. The board held a public hearing on June 7.
The store would face MacCorkle Avenue, with a parking lot in front and a new building on the back of the lot. Traffic could still get from Second to Third Street, although drivers would negotiate around the front of the new store building.
Tuesday evening Ward 7 Councilman Desper Lemon made the motion to approve the request to abandon the street. Lemon said he's not an advocate of giving away city property "but sometimes you have to look at the whole picture." Ward 4 Councilwoman Cheryl Thomas seconded Lemon's motion. Council approved it on a unanimous voice vote.
The proposal now goes to the Ordinance Committee, and must come back to council for two readings in the future before it becomes final.
Also Tuesday, as part of the CVS project, council by unanimous voice vote approved the administrative re-subdivision of parcels of land between MacCorkle Avenue, Third and Second streets and sent it to the Ordinance Committee for further consideration.
During announcements, Mayor Dick Callaway noted that city and Municipal Utility Commission offices will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
In addition, Callaway said the Primary Care Unit at Charleston Area Medical Center will host a "Walk with a Doc" event from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. July 16 at City Park. Participants will receive information about sleeping environments and hygiene for good health, then stroll with a doctor to discuss issues of interest.
Also, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Pennington noted that Riverfest begins Thursday at Roadside Park.
Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun announced that the Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring several other upcoming events:
n A disc golf tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at City Park.
n There will be a tennis camp from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 11 through July 15 at Ordinance Park. The cost is $50.
n A basketball camp will be held at 9 a.m. July 18 through July 21 at St. Albans High School. The cost is $60.
n Swim lessons will be offered at 10 a.m. June 27 through July 1 at the city pool. The cost is $50.
n There will be pool parties July 15 and July 29 at the city pool.
n Movie nights will take place at dusk on July 9 and July 30 at Roadside Park.
It also was announced that at 11 a.m. July 1 the Hansford Center will celebrate Independence Day with entertainment and a luncheon.
Ward 1 Councilman Robert Keiffer, Ward 6 Councilwoman Loretta Griffith and Councilman-at-large John Boles Jr. did not attend Tuesday's meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 pm. July 5 on the second floor of the municipal building, 51 Sixth Ave.