Love’s Truck Stop reaches next phase as New Kent commissioners recommend CUP approval

After listening to concerns from citizens and hearing applicant representatives respond to questions, New Kent’s Planning Commission had little trouble forwarding a favorable recommendation to county supervisors for granting a conditional use permit (CUP), the first step in paving the way for construction of a Love’s Truck Stop on Route 106 at the Interstate 64/Talleysville interchange.

Commissioners passed the permit recommendation 9-0-1 during the group’s regular monthly meeting Monday evening. A public hearing was held in conjunction with the meeting, being pushed up from an original December scheduled date to November.

Developers say the proposed travel stop will be a $12-15 million investment towards the county. Project manager William Gleason said the project would result in 30-40 jobs during the construction phase, followed by hiring 45-50 employees to operate the facility. Gleason highlighted other Love’s facilities that have sparked development including hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants. The company operates 240 stores in 40 states.

An access road, originally designated to be placed across from a proposed Wilco-Hess Travel Plaza no longer on the table, is now planned to be situated across from the main truck entrance of the existing Pilot truck stop. Project planning director Jeremy Reese said the move is being done for safety reasons. Turning lanes would lead into the facility and a traffic light is proposed for the intersection as part of the first layout design and construction plan.

The travel plaza would consist of 73 parking spaces and 14 fuel stations for automobiles. Diesel trucks would have fueling stations on the far western part of the property. Layout for that area includes eight fueling stations and 89 truck parking spaces.

A convenience store spanning just over 7,200 square feet as well as a fast food restaurant covering 3,100 square feet are also part of Love’s master plan, along with a tire repair center. To protect the environment, a 100-foot buffer surrounds most of the property and a 100-foot Resource Protection Area (RPA) has been designated to ensure wetlands in nearby Toe Ink Swamp remain safe in the event of an accidental gasoline spill or leak.

The public hearing opened with seven residents citing concerns, questioning the travel center’s location and effect on surrounding neighborhoods.

“I recently moved to New Kent and expected to move into the country,” said Marnie Repasky, who relocated from Pennsylvania. “I hope you consider the lighting and the impact it will have on the Four Seasons community.

“I moved to the county because of the location, but I am not thrilled to see this in my backyard,” she concluded.

“I appreciate the synopsis about the noise and maintenance standards,” said Jim Ondish. “But I can only see this [truck traffic] getting worse.”

Some speakers commented on other aspects including impact on utilities such as water and inconsiderate tractor-trailer drivers pulling out in front of other vehicles. But it was resident John Page, whose home will be the closest to the proposed truck stop, who viewed both sides of the situation.

“I like living in New Kent and we’re going to be right next door to it,” he said. “It’s a truck stop. It will have noise and lights and I understand that.

“I’m optimistic and hope that it works, but I look at this facility as a way to compound the problem,” he continued. “I also look at the litter problem we have from the other truck stop and want to know how that will be addressed.”

Managing director John Jay Schwartz restated the financial benefits from his comments at the planning commission’s October meeting.

“This facility will bring in anywhere from $275,000-$290,000 in revenue,” he said. “This will help take the burden off taxpayers.”

After the public hearing closed, commissioner John Moyer asked if any problems arose from previous Love’s Truck Stops.

“In Alabama, we are working with one city on a traffic study,” Gleason responded. “We are supplying one-half of the money on the study to see if we need to add a traffic light and turning lanes.

“I don’t hear our competition improving road conditions and putting up traffic lights,” he continued, referencing ways the company plans to alleviate congestion on Route 106 (Emmaus Church Road). “We are looking to be part of the community and work with members of the community.”

Gleason also addressed concerns that could inconvenience citizens, referencing a situation where the company adjusted outdoor lighting and supplied financing for an Alabama woman to tint windows on her home due to her concerns.

Prior to final deliberations, commissioner Edward Pollard talked about the positive vibe he received from the presentation.

“I am impressed with this company,” he said. “To see this company start in Oklahoma and reach out to the East Coast shows me that they have invested in what they do.

“I just have a gut feeling that this company is a family that is proud of its product,” he continued. “Their ideas have kept them intact and I see this as a win-win situation.”

A vote followed with District 2 Board of Supervisor chairman Tommy Tiller abstaining.

Approval of the CUP could be addressed at a public hearing as early as the county Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Dec. 14.