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Oppose to the New Gas Station by Harris Teeter in Broadlands

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by OSimpson, Jun 18, 2016.

  1. Kilkenny

    Kilkenny Member

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    And where do you folks think the electricity comes from that charges your Asburn electric cars. NIMBYs!
     
    latka and Chsalas like this.
  2. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    This difference can't be fixed by putting more gas stations around. How is the commercial rent comparison with Loudoun? Any idea why such a difference? Ashburn and surrounding areas are consistent with only few cents of difference. http://www.virginiagasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx
     
    Sleepyhollow likes this.
  3. Loudounite

    Loudounite Member

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    Who still uses gas stations? I ride my magic carpet into work. It's solar powered. PM me for additional info, my local dealer is currently running a special... ;)
     
    KTdid likes this.
  4. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    I have sent the e-mail below to the Supervisor Meyer.

    Dear Supervisor Meyer,
    On August 31st, I sent an e-mail requesting a meeting with you but did not hear back.

    I am a resident of Broadlands community, our address is 42927 Cloverleaf Court, Broadlands - walking distance from the Southern Walk Plaza. Our family expects our elected officials in public service and their votes to maintain, improve and protect the quality of living standards for the residents in the area.

    As a family we regularly shop at the Southern Walk Shopping Center where Harris Teeter/Van Metre submitted a special exception permit request #ZCPA-2015-0010 for a gas station.

    Your vote can maintain the "quality" in our community only if you do not approve this application. Your denial to this application will demonstrate your commitment to maintain higher standards of living in Broadlands, and Loudoun County.

    Our concerns are listed below.

    Location (page 6 of 9)- Have you ever seen a gas station squeezed between the side of a grocery store and a bank building entrance? This is exactly what is happening here.

    Traffic Safety based on the location: This shopping center is located within few minutes walking distance from the active adult units, single family homes, town homes and apartments - providing the much desired walkability for our community. Daily and frequently residents walk to, and walk through this shopping center. This also includes a lot of children and teenagers.
    • Small service businesses listed below adjacent to Harris Teeter, has high traffic volume by their customers using the access road where the gas station will be force fitted into the parking spaces and the current path - creating a very tight spacing between the moving cars, parked cars and the pedestrians creating an unsafe environment.
    Pollution & Health Concerns: Several studies have found that living near hazardous wastes sites, industrial sites, cropland with pesticide applications, highly trafficked roads, nuclear power plants, andgas stations or repair shops is related to an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. "Residential Proximity to Environmental Hazards and Adverse Health Outcomes - US National Library of Medicine
    National Institutes of Health"

    Existing 3 other gas stations in the area and it's distance from Harris Teeter at Southern Walk Plaza and the Broadlands community.
    1. 0.9 miles away - Exxon, 21880 Ryan Center Way, Ashburn
    2. 1.5 miles away - Sunoco Gas Station, 42870 Truro Parish Drive, Ashburn
    3. 2.7 miles away - Exxon, 43305 Junction Plaza, Ashburn
    More gas stations maybe coming?
    Who is making this request and why?
    • Harris Teeter - and the addition of the gas stations stem from retailer's Kroger 2014 acquisition.
    • This location was planned and opened only 5 years ago in October 2011 and the shopping center was opened in 2006 without a gas station in plans.
    • Harris Teeter, according to Van Metre representative Denise Harrower, has the intention of increasing the market share with the gas station by drawing more customers.
    • This space has adjacent to Harris Teeter the following businesses ( I was able to contact some of these businesses)
      • Caring Hands Animal Hospital - did not know about this project
      • Great Clips
      • Christal Bright Cleaners - did not know about this project
      • Joy Salon and Spa
      • UPS Store
      • Hunan Cafe
      • Domino's Pizza
      • Top Kick Martial Arts
      • Leesburg Sterling Family Practice - did not know about this project
      • On the other side of the parking space Bank of America - did not know about this project
    3 other Harris Teeters within 4 miles - capturing customers from all angles.
    How are the gas stations usually located in the surrounding community shopping centers?
    They are positioned away from the main strip, in corners with easier in and out access to the main road. Here are the examples!

    1. Goose Creek Village with Harris Teeter - Sunoco
    2. Ashburn Village Shopping Center with Giant Food - Sunoco
    3. Ashburn Farm Market Center with Giant Food- Exxon
    4. Broadlands Office and Retail Center - Sunoco
    5. Shoppes at Ryan Park with Giant Food - Exxon
    6. Ashburn Town Square with Lotte Grocery Store- Exxon
    7. Ashbrook Commons - Shell
    I have been actively involved in our community for about 10 years. One thing I can tell you that people maybe busy maintaining their families and lifestyles - and this should not be interpreted that we don't care.

    With the information, comparisons, and facts I am listing above - if this gas station is approved - it will be clear that your vote was not for the residents. It was for what one business wanted to do for their own profits regardless of how it's going to be effecting the lifestyle we all have been promised. "...Broadlands planned community was created to accommodate 3,800 residences, living in harmony and balance with nature. The National Wildlife Federation has named Broadlands a Certified Wildlife Habitat Community, only the 25th community in the nation to achieve this certification..."

    I urge you to vote NO for the request for this special exception.
     
  5. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    I can appreciate your enthusiasm here, but...

    Is your concern environmental? Traffic? Dislike for the Kroger company? There is a lot in here.

    If you feel that the gas station will be difficult to access, isn't the solution to use a different gas station, and therefore not bother with what you think will be the inconvenience? And what business is it of the county supervisors in this case if they think a private landowner is jacking up their own parking lot? Is this not a case between the landlord and their tenants? Surely a company as large as Bank of America, the 26th largest company in American with revenues exceeding $93 billion, can afford to fight this fight on their own (and you have to see the irony of an environmentally conscious community activist fighting on behalf of BoA) if they were really unhappy about it. Or Domino's. Or Walgreens.

    I also don't understand listing out the other nearby HT locations - are you advocating this store close entirely because others are nearby?

    If you read the documentation from the BoS (Item 5 listed here: https://www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?nid=3426) there are a few interesting tidbits. First off, the county has done an environmental study and found no significant threat to the environment, but even so has required a mitigation plan that has been put into effect. Secondly, it does note that four community members voiced their opinion at the previous meeting on this issue about their environmental concerns. Assuming you were one of the four and Supervisor Meyer was present, he may consider this opinion heard. It also states that the entity requesting the gas station has agreed to make an improvements to nearby commuter lot, and to keep the rent at the current rate for a period of two years, after which the rent goes to a lump sum on $1. In other words, it appears the supervisors made a deal whereby this gas stations can go in if a commuter lot is expanded and improved upon a few blocks away. If concerned about the environment, surely you should be pleased that the county is working to increase mass transit and carpooling options for county residents. Lastly, the documentation states that previous filings related to this passed unanimously.

    I'm having a hard time figuring out what the argument is here and why it is being argued. If you don't want to mess around with a busy parking lot at Southern Walk, there are like 6 other similar centers nearby. An environmental easement is nearby, no significant risk to the environment was found in the analysis, AND they forced them to put a mitigation plan in, just in case. AND the county is getting better parking options for carpooling and mass transit out of the deal - a win for traffic and the environment.

    And not to mention, it could be argued that the quality of life here IS being improved by having a gas station in a statistically under-served area, as I proved in a previous point on the matter.
     
  6. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    The original post highlighted the 'quality of life' within the Broadlands community. The examples given in the post support that. It's not debatable.

    [​IMG]

    Scientific American

    Dear EarthTalk: I am looking at possibly buying a house that is very close to a gasoline station. Is it safe to live so close to a gas station? What concerns should I have? I have toddler and infant babies.
    -- Ranjeeta, Houston, TX

    Despite all the modern health and safety guidelines they must follow, gas stations can still pose significant hazards to neighbors, especially children. Some of the perils include ground-level ozone caused in part by gasoline fumes, groundwater hazards from petroleum products leaking into the ground, and exposure hazards from other chemicals that might be used at the station if it’s also a repair shop.

    Ozone pollution is caused by a mixture of volatile organic compounds, some of which are found in gasoline vapors, and others, like carbon monoxide, that come from car exhaust. Most gas pumps today must have government-regulated vapor-recovery boots on their nozzles, which limit the release of gas vapors while you’re refueling your car. A similar system is used by the station when a tanker arrives to refill the underground tanks. But if those boots aren’t working properly, the nearly odorless hydrocarbon fumes, which contain harmful chemicals like benzene, can be released into the air.

    Higher ozone levels can lead to respiratory problems and asthma, while benzene is a known cancer-causing chemical, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The quest to reduce ozone levels has led the state of California to implement a more stringent vapor-recovery law, effective April 1, 2009, which requires that all gasoline pumps have a new, more effective vapor-recovery nozzle.

    Underground gasoline storage tanks can also be a problem. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are some 660,000 of them from coast-to-coast. Many a lawsuit has been filed against oil firms in communities across the country by people whose soil and groundwater were fouled by a gas station’s leaking underground storage tank. In the past, most tanks were made of uncoated steel, which will rust over time. Also, pipes leading to the tanks can be accidentally ruptured.

    When thousands of gallons of gasoline enter the soil, chemicals travel to groundwater, which the EPA says is the source of drinking water for nearly half the U.S. If buying a home, consider its potential loss in value if a nearby underground storage tank were to leak. Gasoline additives such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), which has been outlawed in some states, make the water undrinkable—and that is only one of 150 chemicals in gasoline. Repeated high exposure to gasoline, whether in liquid or vapor form, can cause lung, brain and kidney damage, according to the NIH’s National Library of Medicine.

    Spilled or vaporized gasoline is not the only chemical hazard if the station is also a repair shop. Mechanics use solvents, antifreeze and lead products, and may work on vehicles that have asbestos in brakes or clutches. Auto refinishers and paint shops use even more potentially harmful chemicals.

    In today’s car-centric world, we can’t escape exposure completely, because these chemicals are in our air just about everywhere. But by choosing where we live, keeping an eye out for spills, and pressuring the oil companies to do the right thing for the communities they occupy, we can minimize our exposures.


    CONTACTS: U.S. EPA, www.epa.gov; National Institutes of Health, www.nih.gov.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-it-safe-to-live-near-gas-station/
     
  7. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    So you are saying all of us up in broadlands north we're screwed a decade plus ago when the two stations up here went in? Seems like houses are closer to the shell than this one... By a long shot.

    And two schools.... WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?
     
  8. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Eric,

    No need to question my concern, priorities, and viewpoints - I did the best i can to list them.
    1. I think it can be important to know where this request is coming from. That's why the information about Kroger is included.
    2. My concern's aren't just about "me"... so yes I can go somewhere else if it was.
    3. Case between the landlord and the business - yes it is. But it is also a shopping center that it's in our community and I do care. I am sure if there was something going on that would be your concern - you would not just sit and say nothing.
    4. Those businesses are locked in with a nice contract I am sure - which I am guessing it does not give them much of a choice to disagree with a gas station if it showed up tomorrow.
    5. This is not only about the environment and that's not listed as the main priority.
    6. Interesting interpretation - no I am not advocating for HT to close this store. It's about part of their business plan to use gas station to capture more business. Which - is OK with ME! but I also added the fact having that many close by HT stores - the are probably capturing as much as they can - DON'T YOU THINK? My main issue is "WHERE" the gas station is going to be - to be exact and the from that what the impact can be. I thought I made that clear.
    7. County process - are you suggesting that when county planners and commissioners approve something - we can't disagree with them?
    8. Your statement about "If concerned about the environment, surely you should be pleased that the county is working to increase mass transit and carpooling options for county residents." This has nothing to do with the main issue I am discussing.
    9. What we consider quality can be different - so I will not argue with you about that. But - if you and your family were taking walks to your grocery store - i guess you would not mind walking through a gas station. This is where we may differ what "quality" means.
    10. I spoke with few of the businesses around there including the Bank - the first reaction "where???" while they were scratching their heads - we walked outside to look at the location and they were still puzzled about to get "where" and "how" it was going to be.. Dry Cleaners keep their doors open for fresh air, the lady was commenting that now she would have to smell the gas from the pumps and the cars... I have yet to find another shopping center that has anything like this...
    11. Here is something from another resident posted on FB:"Normally I am fine with development and changes and wouldn't mind another gas station nearby. That said, I was involved in a very scary car accident on that end of that exact Parking lot two years ago. The side of my car was hit hard - the same side my then the infant was sitting on - and more than 10k of damage was done to my car. It happened in part because of the already odd angles and sight lines of that lot and I see this as making it worse. There is already way too much thru traffic in the evenings and this will compound it. Before I looked at the site plan you included, I was hoping it would be on the Demott side. This looks incredibly unsafe."
    That said, I was involved in a very scary car accident on that end of that exact Parking lot two years ago. The side of my car was hit hard - the same side my then the infant was sitting on - and more than 10k of damage was done to my car. It happened in part because of the already odd angles and sight lines of that lot and I see this as making it worse. There is already way too much thru traffic in the evenings and this will compound it. Before I looked at the site plan you included, I was hoping it would be on the Demott side. This looks incredibly unsafe.
    BTW - is this shopping center where you frequently shop at different stores by walk? Do you regularly see kids biking through it, especially in the summer going to HT or other stores? Well I do - and that's why I see the problem.

    Also - would you explain to me why in all the other shopping centers - gas stations are positioned the way they are - clearly not in the middle of 2 buildings, with their own parking and access to get in and out?

    Are you looking forward to buying your gas here? Where do you buy your gas now? Is it the same gas station all the time?

    Regardless, I am guessing I have the right to oppose which I am doing so for our family and others who may also be sharing our concerns.
     
  9. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    There we go.... We all have to get sick with the environmental toxins, pollution and drop dead with cancer to some how come to an awareness that it is bed for you so you can avoid it, limit it or remove it from you lifestyle.

    Just like me having family members who smoked cigarettes all their lives and lived until they are in their 70s and died from natural causes. Let's smoke! Let's have smokers hang around us and our children - because - no one can guarantee that it will effect your health. Right? This is just one example. Same thing with junk food, or alcohol.

    I don't live in a bubble or a with a fear of environmental pollution - but I am not going to sit and watch if there is something that concerns me enough and there is something I can do about it. Just like hundreds of trees i have planted around Broadlands in addition to hundreds X 2 native plants for pollinators and habitat restoration for the well being of all of us. If it made a difference - you are welcome. IF you think life was good without them too... no worries it won't hurt my feelings. Because - I tried hard to maintain more of a scientific environmental concern that effects our well being overall not as much as "emotional" approach that I am trying to save the birds, the bees or the butterflies...

    Gas station or no gas station - at the end of the day I know that i have done my homework - and it is "WRONG" for the benefit of the community in that shopping center and those who live around it to have this gas station built.

    Cheers!
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2016
  10. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    According to NEPA (Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on January 1, 1970, NEPA set forth a bold new vision for America. Acknowledging the decades of environmental neglect that had significantly degraded the nation's landscape and damaged the human environment, the law was established to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.)

    I recognize that the County has it's approval process for these type of applications and I am not questioning that, but I wanted share this as an additional information only. Especially #4 and #8 are worth to think about how it relates to the HT application.


    PLANNING CRITERIA FOR LOCATION OF PETROL FILLING STATIONS

    1. Stations should be located within a growth center or an urban area except in
    circumstances where it can be shown through appropriate studies that the need exists
    otherwise.

    2. Land should be zoned for commercial/industrial use or be designated specifically for the
    purpose in a subdivision.

    3. Stations should be located at a minimum of 500 ft. from any public institution such as
    schools, churches, public libraries, auditoriums, hospitals, public playgrounds, etc.

    4. Area of land to be developed should be sufficient to allow maneuvering of vehicles
    within its cartilage but should not be less than 12,000 sq. ft. with a minimum frontage of
    300 ft. on the primary street.


    5. Filling Stations will not be allowed in any area where the traffic situation is such that it
    will cause obstructions in entering or leaving a station, or on tight curves where visibility
    is not adequate.

    6. Vehicular access/egress/crossover should be reasonably safe with adequate approach
    distances especially where main roads and intersections are involved.

    7. Wherever possible, stations should be erected on level rather than sloping site to prevent
    rolling or discarded materials such as cans, drums, etc.

    8. When sited in shopping centers, stations should be located in an isolated area of the
    development as long as planning criteria are met, example, set back.


    9. Environmental impact on streams, lakes, ponds, aquifer, etc., will be taken into
    consideration. An Environmental Impact Assessment may be required from the
    applicant.

    10. Buildings are to be located a minimum of 40 ft. from road property boundaries to
    provide adequate area for maneuvering of vehicles in the service area.

    11. Canopies and supports over pumps and service equipment when located less than 20 ft.
    from interior residential lot lines or building or structure should be constructed of noncombustible
    material.

    12. Petrol pumps shall be located a minimum of 100 ft. from any residential building.

    13. No fuel pumps or other mechanical equipment shall be installed so as to permit servicing
    of motor vehicles standing in a public street or highway.

    14. All service areas should be paved to avoid dust nuisance.

    15. Exterior design of the building should be compatible with adjacent development and
    should be such that it is not detrimental to property values in the area.

    16. In a residential area a landscaped open area 10 ft. wide shall be provided along the rear
    property boundary and 15 ft. wide along the side proper boundaries, and be separated
    from paved area by curb or other barrier.

    17. Where the site adjoins the side or rear boundary of a residential lot, a solid wall 10 ft. in
    height should be constructed and maintained along that lot boundary.

    18. A raised curb of at least 6” in height should be erected along street property lines except
    for driveway openings so as to prevent operation of vehicles on sidewalks, and to define
    entrance/exit points.

    19. Signs should be accordance with the Advertisement Regulations and should be located so
    as not to reflect the sun into the face of motorists and should be large enough so that they
    can be seen from a reasonable distance at a reasonable speed.

    20. Stations are to be equipped with fire-fighting and fire protection equipment installed in
    accordance with the requirements of the Fire Department.

    21. Each tank shall be vented to the atmosphere outside of buildings by means of an
    independent vent pipe which should not be less than 12 ft. in height or 2 ft. above the top
    of the nearest adjacent building.

    22. All volatile flammable liquid storage tanks shall be installed below ground in compliance
    with the requirements of the Ministry of Construction (Works).

    23. Integral containers of adequate design and capacity should be provided for solid waste,
    such as discarded cans, bottles, etc.

    24. Proper facilities for storage and disposal of used and waste oil and gas must be provided.

    25. Waste water from the washing of motor vehicles et cetera and sewage disposal should be
    to the satisfaction of the Health Authorities.

    26. Notice of intent to construct and operate a Petrol Filling Station should be posted on the
    site and gazetted to enable ad to enable adjacent owners within a specified radius to
    object if they so desire.

    27. Fuel should be stored in double walled container to minimize leakage and prevent
    contamination of ground water.

    28. Normally no access to nor egress from a filling station shall be closer than 150 ft. to any
    road intersection or 250 ft. from the intersection of two main roads.

    29. Other development criteria are given in the Filling Station Development Orders.

    GUIDELINES TO APPLICANTS
    1. Filling Station is defined as any land, building or equipment used for the sale or
    dispensing of petrol or oils for motor vehicles or incidental thereto and includes the
    whole of the land, building or equipment whether or not the use as a petrol station is the
    predominant use or is only a part thereof.

    2. Any erection or alteration of building or equipment for the sale of petrol or oils for motor
    vehicles on any land or the change of use of land or buildings from any other use to that
    of a filling station shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Development Order
    and permission granted by the Town and Country Planning Authority thereunder.

    3. All applications for permission to erect a filling station should be made to the local
    planning authority/Parish Council in the parish in which the proposal is to be located on a
    form issued and obtainable from that authority.

    4. Each application is to be accompanied by at least five (5) copies, or the number printed
    on the application forms, of:
    a) A Plan sufficient to identify the land to which it relates;
    b) Plans and drawings as are necessary to describe and illustrated the
    development in detail.

    5. The Planning Authority may request an applicant to produce evidence to verify any
    particulars of information given in an application.

    6. In dealing with applications, the Authority will afford the applicant, if he/she so desires,
    an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the
    Authority for the purpose.

    7. The decision of the Authority can be appealed to the Minister responsible for Planning as
    set out in the Development Order.

    8. Under the Law it is a requirement that permission for the erection of a filling station
    anywhere in the island be obtained from the Planning Authority.
     
  11. shim

    shim shim

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    #2 under guidelines states "any erection" that's all I really have to add other than, I grew up next to a gas station.
     
  12. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Or acknowledge that the fears you bring up are already commonly accepted... severely undermining the significance of the concerns raised.

    We all know gas stinks, potential spills, carcinogens, etc.. but we don't crawl into a bubble, we use **reasonable** evaluations of the risk. When one goes to extremes and inconsistent justifications to try to defend the position... the messenger loses credibility and people tune out the ENTIRE message.
     
    latka likes this.
  13. Jeddie Busch

    Jeddie Busch Member

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    Despite strong feelings and opinions gas stations are and will continue to be a fact of life for all Ashburn residents because the overwhelming majority of us drive cars powered by gasoline. If you truly desire clean country living look into homes in Western Loudoun that are far from the beaten path. They are tranquil and beautiful but do not have the convenience of being close to everything.
     
  14. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Thanks for the advice!
     
  15. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    So other communities can have similar issues with HT

    Vote tabled on proposed Lady’s Island Harris Teeter, gas station

    Check out the image-how gas station is sitting away from the store
    A vote on a proposal to build a 60,000-square-foot grocery store and 12-pump gas station on Lady’s Island has been tabled.

    Charlotte-based Barnes Development went before the Beaufort Design Review Board on Thursday to discuss a proposed Harris Teeter, which would include an interior Starbucks, as well as an on-site convenience store and gas station at the intersection of Sams Point Road and Sea Island Parkway. City staff recommended the application be denied, citing concerns that the project didn’t meet standards for the Lady’s Island Village Center District and Civic Master Plan.

    “We want to achieve the best thing that is possible, but ... (it’s) not possible to put a traditional suburban model on Lady’s Island,” said project development planner Lauren Kelly. “We want something different to create a (sense of) place in this area.”

    City staff noted in a report that the plan called to remove a “significant” number of trees, and suggested an alternative could be to place the building in a similar footprint as the former Publix that used to occupy that site. The grocer moved to a larger location across the street in 2014.

    Kelly noted the site should have a walkable feel and pedestrian-friendly design, as outlined in the Lady’s Island Village Center District.

    “I think it’s very important that we have aesthetics we find appealing,” said Jon Verity, chairman of the Beaufort Redevelopment Commission. “We recognize the potential power of having Harris Teeter here. We want to work with them to find a solution that works for them and the community.”

    A handful of attendees spoke during the meeting’s public comment portion, citing support for the city’s staff recommendation to deny the application.

    “Removing the trees would detract from the (Village Center) vision rather than add to it,” said Kate Parks Schaefer, South Coast Director of the Coastal Conservation League. “A lot of value and consideration needs to be given to the trees on the property now.”

    Concerns expressed about the site’s trees echoed sentiments expressed by Lady’s Island residents when Publix originally proposed a store for the site.

    “When this property was developed as a Publix, the public really pushed to save the trees,” Kelly said.

    She added that some felt the trees spared in that development created a “difficult-to-maneuver parking lot,” but that the village concept should incorporate “natural assets” when possible.

    Project developer Ted Barnes said he and Harris Teeter would be willing to review alternatives for the plan and ultimately requested a deferral from the Design Review Board.

    “We were challenged the whole time trying to make all the architectural design features that we needed and (also) have a functioning grocery store,” Barnes said. He said grocery stores typically don’t lend themselves to an urban approach, but said there was “some flexibility” to the site plan that could be revisited.

    Barnes said Harris Teeter had a deadline, but could not specify when it was.

    “There is a time sensitivity with what we’re doing,” Barnes said, adding that Harris Teeter’s lease on the former Publix building has a contingency period. “We’re willing to look at alternatives, but we will have a trigger date.

    “We’ll do a little research on (the site’s trees) as we work on other details,” he continued. “We’ll come back with a revised drawing and figure out when we’ll get this done.”
     

    Attached Files:

  16. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    At no point have I questioned your right to make any point you choose on this board, I've seen far sillier opinions expressed here. I also don't feel that making points and backing them up with documentation where available is in any way disrespectful to your right to disagree.

    To answer a few of your questions - yes I shop at this center frequently, I used to buy my gas at the Safeway station and used to grocery shop at the safeway - frequently walking up there as it is in my neighborhood, I haven't taken a lot of time to observe gas station placement but I can confidently say that this is being designed this way because the property owner wants to squeeze more revenue from his property (and I think we can agree to disagree but I think that is his right since it IS private property), the relevance of the commuter lot speaks to your concerns about the environment. Saying something like this is 'wrong' is your opinion, which you are entitled to. As am I.

    My original post was asking you to clarify your reasons for opposition. As you mention frequently, there are other places to buy gas. There are also other places to grocery shop. And yes, I'm sure those business have lease agreements with the center. I also believe if anyone at BoA cared the slightest, they'd ask their in house lobbying arm to call the county supervisors and express that. I also found it somewhat unfortunate that your letter implied that a county supervisor hadn't been responsive if, in fact, you were one of the citizens that expressed their opinions at a previous board meeting.

    In a weeks time we'll know either way and can go back to discussing snow plow routes and weed control.
     
  17. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    Do you know if this is VM's own request - or VM is requesting it as the property owner for HT because they brought it up and they want to do it. I don't know if HT can submit a request to the county board. My recall from the annual meeting - D. Harrover presented that HT was asking for it.

    Do you know if BofA was informed about this gas station? I don't. People I mentioned it to who worked at the bank didn't.

    Which board meeting did i expressed my opinion previously? I don't recall.

    County Supervisor did not respond my request to meet sent that I first sent on Aug 31st. He did reply after I sent my e-mail which I posted here.

    Do you remember the hospital project? Land owner asked for an approval, was willing to pay for Belmont Ridge expansion, community didn't want it, INOVA didn't want it - I think many others wanted it for many reasons, but it didn't get approved. I wonder.... how did that happened.. still. Who had enough pressure to put on the board to deny it. I wonder..
     
  18. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    The applicant is Broadlands Associates LLP. I would guess this is the owner of the center and not HT itself.

    You mentioned you spoke with BoA employees about it at that location, so yes they know about it.

    The county documentation lists that four people from the community objected to the gas station at a June 28th meeting - since you are passionate about this I had assume you were one of those people. If not...
     
  19. OSimpson

    OSimpson Certified Master Naturalist

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    I did not go to any meeting for this on June 28th.

    Me asking an employee if they knew about it doesn't mean corporate knows about it. I would not assume that.
     
  20. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    There is nothing 'similar' about these situations at all...except they involve a shopping center.
     

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