JAMES CITY-On January 5, The James City County Planning Commission heard a request for a special use permit for the construction of a Wawa convenience store and gas station at the corner of Monticello Avenue and Ironbound Road across from Settlers Market.
Mark Rinaldi with Bush Construction Corporation applied for the request. He is proposing the construction of a 6,049 square foot Wawa with six fueling islands on a vacant parcel located at 4007 Ironbound Rd. near the JCSA water tanks.
As part of the proposal, two turning lanes would be added on Ironbound Road to handle increased traffic. Currently, there is no convenience store with a gas station along Monticello Avenue in the New Town area east of Route 199. Vernon M. Geddy III, the applicant’s attorney, stated that allowing for a Wawa would make it convenient for residents, workers, and customers of Settlers Market, since all they would need to do is cross Monticello Avenue rather than travel along the busy corridor to get to a gas station.
“It will keep them off the more congested segment of Monticello Avenue,” Geddy said. “This is a much needed use of this space.”
Another plus for the county would be the added tax dollars a Wawa would contribute.
“I can’t think of anything that is going to create more tax dollars for the county than a gas station,” said Ken Freeman, whose family owns Ironbound Road Mini Storage nearby. Freeman spoke in favor of the project during a public hearing on the proposal.
“I am happy to have them as a neighbor,” he said. “We think this is a good use of the property, and we support it.”
Members of the planning commission agreed, voting unanimously to approve the project. The Wawa proposal moves on to the James City County Board of Supervisors for final approval. If approved, it will be the fourth Wawa convenience store in the Greater Williamsburg area. There is a Wawa on Merrimac Trail near The Edge District and two on Richmond Road, one near the College of William & Mary and one in Lightfoot. The Wawa in Lightfoot opened just last year.
