44°
Board members, at their Feb. 3 meeting, did not rule out more narrowly geared measures, however. Examples include regulating types of signage, hours of operation and limiting drive-thru operations.
Councilman Don Scott, who noted that the town code was previously changed, recalled an interest that CVS once had in moving into Arroway's site, which is in Katonah.
CVS ultimately did come into Katonah when it replaced Katonah Pharmacy's storefront in November.
Scott recalled that his impression was that chain stores could not be directly banned, saying, "You cannot legislate chain stores out of your community.”
Recalling public feedback to the arrival of CVS, Deputy Supervisor David Gabrielson said that people who attended a Community Organizations Committee meeting were unhappy about it.
Supervisor Chris Burdick also cited the arrival of CVS as a reason, when asked by Councilwoman Mary Beth Kass, about what was driving the conversation regarding chain stores.
Burdick was also dismissive of the notion that the town could have a general ban.
“We know we can’t do that," he said. The supervisor also noted that municipalities that do so would be spending taxpayers dollars on litigation that they would lose.
Bedford's town counsel also expressed skepticism about having a blanket ban, citing the lack of court rulings broadly in favor.
Jeff Osterman, Bedford's director of planning, explained that the town only has architectural control over commercial buildings in Bedford Village, whose downtown hosts a historic district.
“The other hamlets, not the case," he said.
Burdick said there were "legitimate concerns" regarding aesthetics, hours of operation and drive-thrus. The supervisor, however, thought it unlikely that there would be major changes to the town code.
“I doubt it very much,” he said.
Bedford has added targeted regulations before.
Five years ago, according to Osterman, there were town code changes made to limit square footage, hours of operation and the zones in which drive-thrus are allowed.
The discussion ended with Burdick expressing interest in having the Planning Board take up the matter.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bedford and receive free news updates.
