Walgreens Project Hits Roadblock

Plans to build a new Walgreens with a drive-through counter hit a roadblock Tuesday after the City Attorney said Petaluma’s General Plan prohibits businesses with drive-thru windows, the Argus Courier is reporting.  

The Petaluma Health Care District wants to build a Walgreens across the street from Petaluma Valley Hospital in a shared-revenue agreement with the retailer. But Planning Commissioners say the parcel’s current business park zoning prevents a drive-thru from being put in there.  

The Health Care District says the zoning should be changed to accommodate the project, in order to give residents a place to purchase medications round the clock. But some commissioners questioned the impact of idling cars, while others said the new store did not warrant a change in code.  

“The rationale for changing the zoning from business park to mixed use commercial is to foster and promote economic diversity, expand retail to meet residents’ needs and keep development in line with Petaluma’s character,” Commissioner Bill Wolpert said, according to the Argus Courier story. “I find those arguments really weak  on this project that sits between one existing shopping center and another that’s about to be built.”  

The Petaluma Health Care District owns the Petaluma Valley Hospital, although the day-to-day operations are run by St. Joseph Health. The district’s revenue comes from its real estate investments and the Lifeline program. If the Walgreen’s is approved, the health care district would receive an estimated $250,000 a year and 40 percent profit from the developer.    

The Planning Commission will resume discussion of the issue at its June 25 meeting.  

For more information, pick up a copy of this week’s Argus Courier.