The Helena City Council approved the site plan this week for a proposed Walgreens drug store to be built between Shelby County 52 and Alabama 261. The approval comes despite opposition from local residents.

Many homeowners in the adjacent neighborhood of Falliston have been trying for months to stop the commercial development.

The pharmacy and Falliston will share an entrance, Squire Drive, and residents say they will be affected by high traffic and increased noise and crime.

Developer Steve Mobley, who oversees the project, also developed the subdivision. He said the common entrance is necessary due to the fact that Shelby County 52 is restricted to a right turn only at its intersection with 261.

He added residents were aware there might be a commercial entrance since the early 1990s and that plans meet the city&8217;s zoning requirements and subdivision regulations.

Mary Perko, a resident and spokeswoman for the subdivision, said homeowners were not

against the commercial construction all together.

She said she hopes the change will not affect the neighborhood negatively, her major concern