JAMES CITY COUNTY — The James City County (JCC) Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the construction of a new Wawa convenience store and fuel sales.
During the Wednesday, Jan. 5 meeting, the Planning Commission heard a request from Mark Rinaldi of Bush Construction Corporation for a special use permit to build a 6,049 square-foot building at 4007 Ironbound Rd. that would have 360-degree architectural treatment and six fueling islands.
The new store would be built on a vacant plot at the corner of Monticello Avenue and Ironbound Road. The site neighbors are Ironbound Road Mini Storage, Courthouse Commons and James City Service Authority’s (JCSA) water tanks.
The applicant submitted a traffic analysis impact, which recommends the installation of two turning lanes on Ironbound Road in order to mitigate traffic.
Currently, there are no convenience stores that also have fuel sales east of Route 199.
The applicant’s attorney, Vernon Geddy, said that a Wawa is a needed use in this location and will serve residents and customers of New Town and Settlers Market, generating significant tax dollars for JCC.
“This is a site that allows residents or customers in New Town or Settlers Market to access convenience and fuel by not driving along Monticello, but crossing Monticello,” he said. “It keeps them off Monticello, and it keeps them off the more congested segment of Monticello west of Route 199, where the only gas with convenience store is located.”
Members of the planning commission were in support of a Wawa being built in the location.
“I think it’s something that is needed in the area,” commissioner Julia Leverenz said.
The planning commission voted unanimously to approve the project. The proposal will next go to the JCC Board of Supervisors for approval.
