The Riverheads community needs to turn out in full force on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. That’s when the county board of zoning appeals (BZA) meets to consider whether RaceTrac should be granted a special use permit to build a TRAVEL PLAZA at the intersection of Route 11 and Route 340 in Greenville.
This location is directly across Route 11 from four gas stations and two truck stops. RaceTrac proposes to use 12 acres of the 32-acre tract to put in 20 car pumps, 6 separate truck fueling lanes, 12 truck and 32 passenger vehicle parking spaces, and an 8,100-square-foot convenience store. The company’s plans for the other 20 acres remain vague. (See the special use permit and site plan)
This proposal is disappointing to a community, including the 1500 students and 160 staff of the nearby schools, that struggles daily with already congested and dangerous truck and vehicular traffic along the corridor.
And the timing of the proposal is particularly frustrating because the county just approved its new comprehensive plan calling for the immediate launch of a community-led planning project focusing on finding solutions to current problems along the Greenville corridor. If approved, RaceTrac will become part of the problem, not the solution.
However, this development is NOT A DONE DEAL!
Even though this property is zoned Business, RaceTrac needs a SPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP) to operate a travel plaza. Only the BZA can grant that SUP and only after RaceTrac has made its case as to why its business would benefit the community.
Deny RaceTrac Proposal
Attend the Meeting
Board of Zoning Appeals
Thursday, Nov. 6
1:30 p.m
(agenda)
Augusta County Government Center
18 Government Center Lane, Verona
(directions)
Send Comments
Email comments ahead of time to comdev@co.augusta.va.us
The community will have the opportunity at the SUP permit public hearing to make its own case to the BZA about why this development in this place at this time would adversely affect the Riverheads community. It is important that folks weigh in and explain to the BZA how RaceTrac would negatively and dangerously affect their lives.
We realize that attending a government meeting in the middle of the day is difficult for many. Here’s an agenda for the meeting. Note that the RaceTrac public hearing is seventh on the list.
If you can’t attend, please send your comments to comdev@co.augusta.va.us before the meeting. Sending email comments to the county in advance of the meeting is a good idea whether or not you attend because it gives the BZA members time to review the issue and understand the community’s concerns.
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