THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140315
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 81 lines
Miller Oil Co. representatives want to continue the surge of retail development in Western Branch with a combination gas station, car wash and fast food restaurant across from Chesapeake Square Mall.
But neighbors say, vehemently, no.
Residents say the business, which would sit on a 2-acre lot between Hanover Lane and Taylor Road, would quickly become a 24-hour nuisance, attracting loiterers, trash and noise.
Opponents believe the plan is another example of fast-growing Chesapeake, of developers' interests bulldozing residents' quality of life. And they're concerned that they have little chance of convincing the city's Planning Commission, which will consider the proposal tonight, and City Council to listen to their objections.
``I don't think we can stop it, I'll be honest with you,'' said Earl F. Hedrick, 61, whose home on a large, quiet lot on Hanover Lane is within shouting distance of the proposed business. ``I think we can go down there (to City Hall), and we might as well whistle at the moon.''
Deborah S. Hoffler, 34, who is among those leading the opposition, said she's also contemplated the possibility that the residents' fight might not make a difference. But she's not giving up.
``It's something that we really strongly believe in, so we're going to give it our best shot,'' Hoffler said.
Planning Commission Chairman Robert L. Briggs said commissioners always weigh residents' concerns carefully.
``The fact that some of the citizens might think it's a lost cause is really not legitimate,'' he said.
``I've literally gotten tens of dozens of calls'' about the gas station plan, Briggs said.
``We certainly politely listen to any of the arguments, no matter how lame they might be, and try to offer constructive suggestions, find out what they're opposed to, and what might be some alternatives,'' he said.
Commissioners' minds are not set automatically in favor of developers, he said.
But property owners' rights to use their land profitably also must be considered carefully.
``We represent both sides,'' he said.
``We listen to both sides, and we take in all the facts as best we know them.''
In this case, developers are asking the Planning Commission to recommend that City Council approve special permits allowing the gas station, a car wash and a drive-through food window.
The property already is zoned for business.
The Planning Commission heard residents' opposition during a public hearing in July.
``We don't want anything open 24 hours that close to our neighborhood,'' Hoffler said.
``It's not that we don't want anything on that parcel of land,'' she said.
``We would welcome something that's more in conjunction with the neighborhood, like a restaurant, where they close up and go home after hours.''
Hedrick said he and his neighbors have been burned by growth before.
In the early 1980s, before Chesapeake Square Mall was built across Taylor Road, a developer proposed a major housing and office complex next to Hanover Lane.
The developer, Hedrick said, promised an attractive community that would have no impact on Hanover Lane residents. The community was to have its own beautiful park.
Those promises were broken, Hedrick said. The backs of townhouses now face Hanover Lane, and cars use the road as the entry to the office complex parking lot.
There is no beautiful park, he said.
Kids from the townhouses have erected a basketball hoop just inches from the curb on Hanover Lane, a nuisance for drivers trying to get to and from their homes, he said.
City officials ``have done enough to us out here,'' Hedrick said. ``I think it's time they listened to people, and did what's right for us, not listened to the guy who's just out to make a buck.'' ILLUSTRATION: STEVE EARLEY
The Virginian-Pilot
Earl F. Hedrick, 61, opposes the development of a combination gas
station, car wash and restaurant on Taylor Road in Western Branch.
The Chesapeake Planning Commission will debate the issue tonight. by CNB