Council blocks historic designation for former CVS building

A second historic designation vote this month failed at last night’s City Council meeting, this time for the former Katz City Drug Store and CVS Pharmacy building on South Glenstone Avenue.

Council members cited an absent owner and their reluctance to impede on property rights for the 7-1 vote in opposition of the Springfield Historic Register designation. Councilman Craig Hosmer cast the lone supporting vote.

Located at 1735 S. Glenstone Ave., the property belongs to SCP 2006-C23-089 LLC, a company the city was unable to contact about the application for the designation, said Planning & Development Director Mary Lilly Smith.

“The property owner has been advised of the nomination but has not responded to any of our communications,” she told council.

At the building, CVS Pharmacy closed April 1.

Paden Chambers, the author of the nomination and a member of the city’s Landmarks Board, said the building was a significant example of 1960s commercial design. At the May 22 Landmarks Board meeting, he said the building is eligible for historic preservation tax credits through a National Register of Historic Places listing. He recused himself from the vote.

It’s the second time this month a property has failed to receive a listing on the Springfield Historic Register.

At the June 3 meeting, council voted against a historic designation for the Sequiota Store/Treadway’s General Store & Gas Station due to the lack of consent from the property owner.

Following the failed historic designation vote last night, council moved the discussion to initiating amendments to the land development code to add a requirement for owner consent and involvement for the designation.

Council decided to table the resolution for the amendments with a unanimous vote until its July 1 meeting.