Howland trustees approve change in zoning for building of pharmacy

HOWLAND -- The second time around, township trustees approved a zone change request to allow for the construction of a pharmacy with a drive-through at state Route 46 and Raglan Drive.
Trustee Richard Clark said he voted against the change for a second time because there were no comments offered Tuesday to change his mind. He said he is not opposed to the project, but voted the will of the people.
Clark said the change was recommended by the township zoning board. For trustees to overturn a zoning board recommendation, trustees have to unanimously vote against it, he said.
Clark said at a previous meeting both he and Trustee Sally Wehmer voted against the change, and Trustee Richard Orwig was absent, so the developer asked trustees to reconsider.
On Tuesday, with all three trustees present, Wehmer and Orwig voted in favor of the zone change, so it is approved, Clark said.
Township administrator Darlene St. George said the crowd at Tuesday's meeting was much smaller than the previous meeting, when many people voiced objections.
Those living in the area have expressed opposition to the proposed 15,000-square-foot building on two acres by 3L Group of Howland because they say it will increase traffic in their neighborhood.
Dennis Lewis Jr., a group partner, has maintained that once customers do their shopping, they won't have any reason to drive down Raglan into the neighborhood.