UPDATE (August 12): The developer has withdrawn their application for the gas station at Mauzy …for now. This means it will NOT be discussed at the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors meeting on August 13. We’ll be in touch if we hear anything more about the project, but for now, it’s good news! Thanks to everyone who called and sent notes—regardless of what happens next, the supervisors have been reminded that the community wants to keep Mauzy rural.
The same applicant who proposed and was denied a massive truck stop in Mauzy back in 2022 has come back with a new proposal for a large gas station and convenience store with 6 gasoline fueling stations, 3 diesel fueling stations, 6 truck parking spots and 42 car parking spots.
The applicant is asking for a special use permit to build the gas station on land zoned for agriculture and located within an agricultural reserve in the comprehensive plan. Although the scope of this project is different from the 31-acre truck stop that was previously denied, the concerns remain the same.
The proposed use isn’t consistent with the comprehensive plan, poses a threat to the surrounding water quality and raises risk for water contamination, and will negatively impact traffic flow in the area.
The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors will consider the special use permit at their August 13 meeting at 6 pm.
Once again we need folks to contact the Board of Supervisors and attend the meeting to express concerns with this proposal.
Tell the Board of Supervisors NO!
Start making phone calls now!
(If you’re having trouble reaching Supervisor Dewey Ritchie, District 1 at the number provided, try 540-908-9290.)
Come prepared with comments Wednesday, August 13 at 6pm
Rockingham County
Administration Center
20 E. Gay St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
(directions)
Not Compatible with Comprehensive Plan
Agriculture and tourism are leading economic sectors in Rockingham County. A large-scale, high intensity commercial operation in an agricultural area doesn’t align with the comprehensive plan. Every acre of farmland lost undercuts the ongoing viability of the agricultural industry in Rockingham and diminishes the natural resources tourists travel to the Shenandoah Valley to enjoy.
Light pollution, air pollution and 24-hour noise will change what is now a rural, agricultural area of the county to an industrial use, paving the way for more intensive uses in the area in the future.
Prior to the adoption of the most recent comprehensive plan, Mauzy neighbors came together to express their desire to continue to be an agricultural area by forming the Mauzy Agricultural Forestal District. This district, as well as the conservation easements located nearby, show an ongoing commitment to agriculture by neighboring landowners. Clearly, this proposal doesn’t align with this vision.
Threat to Water Quality
Rockingham’s long-standing policy is to direct commercial development to areas where water and sewer connections are available. Since there is no public sewer in this rural location, the developers are proposing a “package plant” to handle wastewater. These systems do not provide the resource protections available through public water and sewer hook ups, and a system failure would be catastrophic to surrounding wells and nearby Smith Creek, a major tributary of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and an important source of water for downstream communities. Additionally, the karst geography of Mauzy with springs, sink holes, and caves is particularly difficult to protect from contamination.
Traffic Congestion
There will be an increase in traffic congestion if the project is built. Mixing high intensity, heavily commercial traffic with local travel along Athlone Road and Route 11, will certainly negatively impact traffic flow, especially when incidents occur along the interstate. And the left turn required to exit the property and travel to Interstate 81 would be especially problematic since the property is located at a curve in the road.
