Action deferred one month on controversial truck stop

New Kent residents and representatives of three companies must wait a month after county supervisors deferred a decision on a conditional use permit application from a North Carolina-based company to build a truck stop on Route 106.

Deferment became an option at New Kent supervisors’ May 13 meeting after uncertainty arose over the integrity of Route 106 in terms of withstanding increased traffic flow.

Wilco Hess LLC proposes to build a “travel plaza” on the southeast corner of the Route 106/Interstate 64 interchange. Plans call for an 8,000 square-foot convenience store, 3,400 square-foot fast food restaurant, 12 fuel pumps for autos and eight for heavy trucks, and 121 truck parking spaces on the 16-acre property.

“We’re a great solution to your problem,” Wilco Hess president Steve Williams told supervisors, noting financial struggles in the county and adding that the travel plaza could generate close to $250,000 in annual revenue for the county.

“We picked this location for a variety of reasons,” he said.

Those reasons, according to Williams, include property located on Interstate 64, affordability, and access to public utilities.

A public hearing, meanwhile, simulated opening a floodgate, as an almost even split of pros and cons from 13 speakers emerged at the podium.

“Truckers and tourists are going to buy things,” said Ron Durrer. “It’s a revenue. The county solely needs a new revenue.”

“I hope the county finally takes advantage of what an interstate and interchange is being used for,” added Todd Shumaker, who emphasized the four intersections along the major thoroughfare. “If the county goes with [the permit], it’s a start; $250,000 is better than zero.”

Residents who live close to the intersection, however, brought up traffic problems already generated by the existing Pilot truck stop.

“The traffic study was done at the wrong time,” said Greg Will, who lives just over a mile from the proposed build site. “In the planning commission meeting, it was said the changes for ramps are destined to fail.”

“Truck traffic is not under control,” added Quinton resident Barbara Lore. “We need to protect what’s there.”

Citizens weren’t the only ones who had something on their mind. Scott Reichle, who represents MHF Dining and Burger King, spoke on possible risks associated with the proposed build.

“I’m concerned about the traffic,” he said. “If you are going to do it, do it right. My client is losing customers because of this.

Jay Naparlo, the franchise owner of a proposed Burger King that’s halted construction adjacent to the Pilot, also commented on his personal investment.

“I have already invested $4 million in this and all I want is to make sure traffic can flow through there,” said the owner. “I am not opposed to business, but the $250,000 [in proposed generated revenue from the travel plaza] won’t do anything when a person can’t get off the interstate.”

The Wilco Hess plan implements two turning lanes into the plaza and one out to minimize traffic congestion. A traffic study by VDOT met with approval, but concern about proposed roundabouts at both the eastbound and westbound on/off ramps mounted more questions than answers.

Jack Wilson, an attorney representing Pilot, said it was traffic, not competition, that has his client concerned.

“The traffic impact is what we are worried about,” Wilson said. “Pilot is not afraid of competition. In contrast to what Wilco Hess thinks, the interchange would become a destination for truck traffic and bring more customers to us.

“Right now, we just think the infrastructure on 106 is not suitable for it,” the lawyer concluded.

New Kent City Center owns the property. The company’s market leasing representative John Schwartz said the board approving a permit is key for potential businesses in the county.

“Companies need services, and New Kent doesn’t have a lot of them right now,” he said. “I speak to companies all over the world and that’s what they ask for.

“We need services, we need facilities, and Wilco Hess will provide that,” he concluded.

Supervisors also were split while discussing the application.

“There are several for and against this,” said chairman Ray Davis. “But there is a failing grade for the interchange and road. Even though we want new businesses, right now that road cannot handle that.”

“The majority of the problem is truck traffic going into the Pilot, not [Route] 106,” said District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn. “It’s a safety issue because it’s a blind spot where vehicles pull out at.

“We have an ongoing problem that doesn’t have anything to do with Wilco Hess,” the supervisor concluded.

Davis disagreed with Evelyn’s thinking, leading to Johnson returning to the podium and saying that Wilco Hess “can’t do anything about proposed roundabouts” in conjunction with traffic on Route 106 because that area is not near their proposed location. The proposed roundabouts are currently assigned to the Farms of New Kent, which has four and a half years to build them, according to VDOT resident engineer Mike Cade.

Supervisors continued weighing opinions on the situation.

“Trucks provide us with things we need,” said James Burrell of District 3. “They need a place to stay and I know there is only one truck stop between the Pilot here in New Kent and Charlottesville on Interstate 64.

“I respect people who have concerns, but this decision is not for today but for the long term,” he continued. “This will attract something else and then that will attract something else. This is an opportunity to bring in commercial businesses and that $250,000 can turn into a couple of million [dollars].”

“I don’t mind a truck stop, but I just don’t like the truck stop there,” rebutted District 4 representative Ron Stiers. “New Kent is known for horse races, the winery, and the vineyards. Like Mr. [Luke] Brady said at the planning commission meeting, ‘I don’t want New Kent to be known as the truck stop county.’”

With the conclusion of discussion, Evelyn asked county administrator Rodney Hathaway about the length of time needed to conduct an independent study on the road. While Hathaway said 60 days is sufficient, action on the permit is required sooner than that under state law.

With that information, a motion passed unanimously for New Kent staff to look at a comprehensive study of Route 106 and the interchange at the interstate. Staff also received instructions to meet with representatives and businesses that are involved. Results are to be announced at the board’s June 10 meeting, and supervisors could take action on the permit request that night.

“[Route] 106 wasn’t meant to be this when it was built,” concluded Davis.

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 that it is premature at this time to comment on the prospect of the company locating in New Kent.