Despite vehement opposition from residents, there’s a “high possibility” Nedal Salem’s Chocolate Hole Realty will get a permit for a 24-hour gas station and convenience store at Great Cruz Bay near Power Boyd, said DPNR official Kent Bernier Jr.
An environmental specialist for the Planning and Natural Resources Department, Bernier said Tuesday that before Salem gets the required terminal facilities permit, he will have to respond to a long list of issues.
Speaking during a rezoning hearing for another gas station, Bernier said those issues cover things like environmental concerns, parking, sewage, and storm water.
“We’ll take that all into consideration and include it in the permit conditions,” Bernier said.
At public meetings held Oct. 26 and Nov. 12, residents expressed many concerns about Salem’s proposed gas station. At issue were the need to bring fuel trucks up the very steep Jacob’s Ladder for deliveries, the property’s location being adjacent to a busy road, its proximity to the island’s only gas station and a grocery store, and worries about the 24-hour operation.
According to Marjorie Emanuel, who heads Planning’s Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning Division, a precedent was set on St. Croix for denying a gas station permit when residents didn’t want one in their neighborhood, but she said he final decision rests with Commissioner Robert Mathes.
Additionally, she said that Planning looks at whether the applicant lives in the impacted area. Salem lives on St. Thomas.
When Guilderoy Sprauve and his business partner Gerron Sprauve held a public meeting on Aug. 15 for their proposed gas station at Estate Adrian, residents expressed concerns but they were much less acrimonious than at the two Salem meetings.
At Tuesday’s rezoning meeting, two of the three members of the public who spoke were in favor of the the Sprauve’s plan to build the gas station.
“How can we assist this guy to pull this off,” said Adrian resident Brian Smith, speaking about the need for more than one gas station on St. John.
The meeting appeared to be poorly attended because notification appeared only in Monday’s edition of St. John’s weekly newspaper, the Tradewinds. Stuart Smith, a planner with Planning, said that it must appear twice. The applicant must provide notice 10 to 15 days before the meeting and not less than two days before
However, Smith said that since the Sprauves notified the neighbors of the meeting, Planning decided to go ahead. He said that if anyone wants to express concerns or needs more information, they should call him at Planning.
The Sprauves want a variance for their property. It is now zoned R-1, residential low density, but they’re asking for an industrial zoning. Those at the earlier meeting said they were concerned about the property’s location on a blind curve. Sprauve said to help with that problem, he’ll have 60-foot entry way instead of the usual 20 to 30 feet.
He also said he listened to residents’ concerns about a 24-hour fully automated operation, and now plans to stay open from 7 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The gas station will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and remain closed until around that same time on Saturday for religious reasons.
Under questioning from Planning’s team, Sprauve acknowledged that he has to address parking for the convenience store. Additionally, he said he didn’t know he couldn’t put a sign on the roof, and will move it to the side of the building.
To reach Smith, call him at 774-3320.
