7-Eleven Proposal on Springfield Avenue Returns

A revised proposal to bring a 7-Eleven convenience store to Springfield Avenue at Tuscan Street will be brought before the Maplewood Planning Board next Tuesday night, September 14.

In early 2009, a proposal to bring a 7-Eleven to the former Mr. Good Lube site on Springfield Avenue met with opposition from neighbors. The ban was not pursued due to resitance from Walgreens despite the fact that the pharmacy will not operate 24 hours. Neighbors were worried about potential litter, traffic and crime related to a 24-hour business.

The three variances needed for the initial 7-Eleven proposal were not granted by the Planning Board. Subsequently, the property owner, 1712 Springfield Commons LLC, sued the Planning Board. Although the Planning Board won the initial round in court, the property owner appealed. In the past few months, the two sides have met and seem to have worked out a compromise.

The results of those meetings will be on view for the public on Tuesday night at the Planning Board meeting at Town Hall when the property owners bring forward a "substantially different" proposal, according to Planning Board Chair Tom Carlson. Patch emailed Carlson for more details, but he is traveling in Europe this week and did not bring Planning Board documentation with him.

A 24-hour on the other side of town on at Parker Avenue and Irvington Avenue.