NK supervisors defer action on budget, truck stop application

New Kent supervisors could take action on the county’s proposed $67.3 million FY 2013-14 budget and accompanying 4-cent real estate tax hike next Tuesday (May 21) at 7 p.m. That’s when the board has scheduled a special meeting to discuss final aspects of the budget document.

The board’s decision to opt for a special meeting followed tonight’s (Monday’s) budget public hearing. Afterward, supervisors said topics for next week’s meeting are expected to delve into how much local money to give to county schools ($12.4 million is proposed for now) as well as fate of a proposed 2 percent cost of living pay raise for county employees.

But only four people addressed the board on the budget matter, concentrating on the 4-cent tax increase. What drew most of the 75 people who packed the board’s meeting room had nothing to do with the budget proposal. At issue, a conditional use permit application by North Carolina-based Wilco Hess LLC to build what would become the second truck stop on Route 106, near the Interstate 64 interchange.

After hearing a near even split in pros and cons from 13 speakers during a public hearing on the application, supervisors deferred the application along with any action for one month until their June 10 meeting. Board members noted that traffic congestion already is a problem on Route 106, and several questioned the road’s ability to handle increased traffic associated with another truck stop.

Supervisors intend to conduct an independent study of the road along with the nearby I-64 on/off ramps and plans to replace both the eastbound and westbound on/off ramp intersections with roundabouts. Board members directed county staff to report on a comprehensive study of the interchange and meet with representatives of businesses involved. That includes Pilot and Burger King, the latter having temporarily halted its construction of a fast food restaurant next door to Pilot.

Wilco Hess, meanwhile, proposes to build an 8,000 square-foot convenience store and 3,400 square-foot fast food restaurant on 16 acres located on the southeast corner of the Route 106/I-64 interchange. That’s the same side of Route 106 as the existing Pilot truck stop, only closer to the interstate.

Plans also call for a dozen auto and eight heavy truck fuel pumps along with 121 truck parking spaces. Upon completion, the “travel plaza” is expected to employ 65-75 workers, company officials say. They add that the project represents a $7-$8 million investment for the company and $250,000 in estimated annual revenue for New Kent.

A third truck stop company, Oklahoma-based Love’s, recently entered the picture. Love’s representatives have approached the county concerning the southwest corner of the interchange, or across Route 106 from Pilot and the Wilco Hess site, as a potential location for a “travel stop.”

Thus far, however, Love’s has not applied for a county conditional use permit. New Kent officials say the matter is in preliminary stages and only “brief conversations” have taken place. A Love’s official also said last week that it is premature at this time to comment on the prospect of the company locating in New Kent.