Walgreens gets green light at intersection of 4500 South 900 East

On Dec. 14, the Millcreek Planning Commission voted to approve an application to construct a new Walgreens in Millcreek.

The new Walgreens building will be built on the southeast corner of the intersection at 4500 South 900 East on a property currently occupied by an old Ray Johnson service station.

Millcreek Community Council Chair Diane Angus said the new Walgreens will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.

“To be honest, I’m thrilled to see something nice go in on that corner,” Angus said.

During a meeting held Dec. 6, early site plans for the project were presented to the Millcreek Community Council.

Plans include a new building on the corner, two entrances for vehicles to access the property, more than 50 parking stalls, an electronic sign to advertise the business and new landscaping.

At the end of the discussion, the majority of community council voted to recommend the project for approval by the Millcreek Planning Commission, but some members raised additional concerns about the impacts of an electronic sign proposed for the site.

Salt Lake County Planner Travis VanEkelenburg said the electronic sign would have the standard red letters of similar signs at Walgreens businesses and not have flashing pictures or scrolling messages that might distract motorists.

“It’s a good design. It doesn’t have a huge impact [or pose a] distraction, as some other signs do,” he said.

Before the new business may be built and the electronic sign installed, the Walgreens must meet all Salt Lake County codes and ordinance requirements to mitigate impacts to the community.

During the third week of December, the Salt Lake County Planning and Development Services Division sent residents living within 300 feet of the property notification by mail of the application to build the new business.

Residents are welcome to voice any concerns regarding the project to county officials.

For more than a year, local residents of the neighborhoods adjacent to the property have raised issues about the business currently operating on the property.

In May 2010, residents attended a Millcreek Community Council meeting to ask that council members check into the legality of a business on the property with rugs on display for sale most days of the week.

A timeline has not yet been announced for construction of the new Walgreens.