Truck stop proposal heads to NK supervisors for hearing

By a narrow 6-4 vote, a conditional use permit application that would pave the way for building a second truck stop on Route 106 in New Kent near the Interstate 64/Talleysville interchange is headed to the county’s Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval.

County Planning Commission members took the action on April 15 following a public hearing on the matter. The vote came on the heels of a 7-3 vote to defeat a motion that would have forwarded an unfavorable recommendation to the board. Supervisors’ representative Tommy Tiller abstained on both votes.

The Board of Supervisors has scheduled a public hearing during its May 13 meeting and could take final action that night.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Wilco Hess LLC proposes to build a “travel plaza” with an 8,000 square-foot convenience store and 3,400 square-foot fast food restaurant on 16 acres of a 461-acre tract located on the southeast corner of the interchange. The company’s plan also calls for a dozen auto and eight heavy truck fuel pumps along with 121 truck parking spaces. Three acres are to be set aside for future commercial development.

Just south of the site is an existing truck stop operated by Pilot that has parking spaces for 35 heavy trucks. Thus far, no Pilot officials or representatives have commented on the Wilco Hess proposal.

Close to three dozens county residents, mostly opponents living in housing developments that are part of Farms of New Kent, attended and 10 voiced opposition during the hearing. Concerns centered on potential traffic, illegal drug, and prostitution problems a truck stop could bring to the county.

“It’s going to bring in prostitution; it’s going to bring in drugs,” Greg Will, a retired police officer, told the commission.

“If you’re going to do this, you’re going to be making a serious mistake,” he said to loud applause from other opponents seated in the meeting room.

“Truckers don’t respect the roads, they don’t respect the residents, they don’t respect the rules of the road,” argued Jason Trezza. “It’s not just about money. It’s about people who live here, too.”

Alfred Cochran echoed comments by Will and Trezza, saying, “People in this county have got to suffer for it just because there’s a dollar to be made.”

Resident Luke Brady took a different approach, labeling a truck stop as “uglier than sin” and adding that if the permit is approved, New Kent risks becoming known as “the truck stop county.”

Wayne Sears, who is sales manager for the Four Seasons development on the opposite side of I-64, said, “I don’t see how [the Wilco Hess proposal] improves anything in the community.”

Several commission members also made known their concerns, particularly over proposed road improvements designed to handle additional traffic. Commission chairman Jack Chalmers said the improvements are insufficient.

Others complained about traffic problems created by the existing truck stop on Route 106.

“We have a bad taste in our mouths over the situation with Pilot,” planner Richard Kontny told the developers.

But arguments advanced by Wilco Hess president Steve Williams apparently swayed most commission members.

Williams said his family-owned and operated business has 390 locations employing 7,000 workers in eight states. There have never been employee layoffs in the company’s 50-year history, he said.

“We’re not perfect, but we work really, really hard,” he told the commission.

He said his company has a zero tolerance policy with regard to security.

“We’re constantly monitoring our facilities, and we do whatever we can to make it safe and secure,” he added.

The New Kent proposal represents a $7-$8 million capital investment for his company and an estimated $250,000 in annual revenue for the county, Williams said. Plans call for hiring close to 40 construction workers on a temporary basis. Then at build-out, the facility is expected to have 65-75 employees, he added.

Planners also took steps to address what Williams labeled as “a deal breaker.” One of 15 conditions that the county has tacked on to the application calls for the permit to expire in 10 years. Williams said a longer time period is necessary so that he can secure adequate bank financing. Commission members agreed to an amendment that extends the expiration date to 2043.

The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the board’s meeting room.