Team Proposes Walgreens Design Changes

DEEP RIVER - The Deep River Walgreens Design Review Team has made several suggestions in changing the appearance of the proposed 9,960 square foot pharmacy to better integrate it with the small village character of Deep River.

The Planning and Zoning Commission at the August 7 meeting approved a wooden frame residential architectural model with a color scheme, vinyl siding, and decorative windows similar to the Deep River Shopping Center across the street and the Guilford Walgreens.

The committee suggested the pharmacy have architectural elements similar to the Southbury Walgreens with brick elements.
In a recommendation report, the team reported "the Southbury model strikes us as being more appropriate for this site than the current design because it has similarities with other civic and commercial buildings in town."

Specifically it recommends the corner entry element to be similar to the elementary school and the entrance tower be designed as an open pavilion without decorative windows or a roof peak.

The pavilion is part of the team's recommendation for the creation of an open pedestrian plaza consisting of two brick paved walkways, one leading pedestrians southbound to the Elms while the other going westbound to the parking lot.

The team suggested the brick walkways be similar to that of the pedestrian plaza in front of the Deep River Shopping Center and that the plaza be free of plants in concrete holders.

Jonathan Kastner, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission said the commission has prohibited Walgreens from using this area for storage, shopping carts, or merchandise.

In these walkways, the committee recommends the placement of several benches similar to those at the Deep River Shopping Center, the same recommendation Kastner said was made by the commission.

Creating a smaller southern pavilion at the southeast end of the building, which faces Main Street, is another recommendation the team made explaining it could be home for a new town bulletin board.

The team liked the idea for a proposed cornice but stated it should be "simple but significant".