Walgreens Hearing Continues This Week

The Teaneck zoning board this week will continue hearing testimony in a developer’s controversial application to build a Walgreens pharmacy, with a drive-through window, on Cedar Lane.

Win Development is seeking permission to build the store in place of the former Louie’s Charcoal Pit, Curves gym and a gas station at the corner of Elm Avenue and Cedar Lane. The proposed drive-through has prompted concerns about safety and congestion in the area.

The developer’s representatives, however, have said pharmacy drive-through traffic would be minimal and are a key component of new Walgreens stores.

"The drive-through pharmacy will generate less traffic in a one-hour period than a bank drive-through, which is permitted," David Karlebach, a planner for the developer, told zoning board members at a recent meeting, a report on northjersey.com said. "And, when you consider some of the other drive-throughs in town - fast food restaurants, doughnut and coffee shops - it generates far less traffic than those uses as well."

Although the hearing only addresses zoning, some residents have also said they don’t want another chain pharmacy on Cedar Lane. If approved, Walgreens would be built across from J&J Pharmacy on the next block from a CVS.

Supporters of the developer’s plan have said Walgreens would bring much needed tax revenue and could draw other businesses to Teaneck’s main shopping district.