The Concord Zoning Board last night approved a variance that will allow developers to pursue plans to build a new CVS on the corner of Loudon Road and East Side Drive.

Although a couple of neighbors expressed concerns about the plans, the zoning board was only allowed to consider one issue relating to the placement of a buffer zone. The developers still need approval from the planning board, and concerns such as increased traffic are likely to be brought up again at that point.

"This is only the beginning," said attorney Richard Uchida, who represents Tropic Star Development.

The plans call for taking down the building that is now American Brake Service. The adjacent Burger King would be moved and made smaller. Developers Scott Mitchell and Jeff Gove, of Tropic Star Development, would also buy two residential properties on Burns Avenue. Although those properties would remain residential, the lot lines would change, making more room for the pharmacy.

Last night, Uchida asked the zoning board for permission to move a buffer zone about 25 feet, so it would be along the new lot lines instead of the zoning district boundary.

Uchida argued that the new buffer zone would be an improvement over the old one. It would have 15 feet of landscaping with a solid fence, instead of a 5-foot buffer with a chain link fence.

It would also allow developers to move an existing driveway about 35 feet farther away from the intersection of Loudon Road and East Side Drive. This could help alleviate traffic backups there and would also line up that driveway with the Apple Tree Buffet driveway on the other side of Loudon Road, Uchida said.

Two neighbors spoke in favor of the proposal, saying that the current fence is in bad shape and the structure of the intersection causes traffic backups.

"I wish they could have moved the driveway when they did the intersection," said American Brake Service owner Robert Hall.

Don Seybold, who lives on Burns Avenue, opposed the plan, since it would move the driveway closer to his street. Seybold said his street is shaped like an L and is already used for cut-through traffic between Loudon Road and East Side Drive. "It would increase congestion leaving Burns Avenue," Seybold said. "Now we have traffic from Papa Gino's, then we'll have traffic from both ends."

Meredith Hatfield, who has opposed another CVS that the same developers are proposing on the corner of North State and Penacook streets, said there is a "slippery slope" if commercial development starts encroaching on residential areas.

She said developers could solve the problem by reducing the size of the building.

However, Uchida responded that if the variance is not granted, developers would still be able to go ahead with the project without shrinking the building.

They would just need to leave the driveway in its current configuration. Uchida said the proposed 13,225-square-foot store is the standard prototype that CVS uses for its buildings.

After several questions about building size and city ordinances, the zoning board voted 4-1 to grant the variance. "If anyone has driven through the parking lot, he's made it better for circulation," said board member Robert Harrison.