Virgin Islands Propane, LLC is requesting a variance to the I-2 zoned plot No. 8 in Estate Cassava Garden, Queens Quarter, St. Croix. The company went before the Department of Planning and Natural Resources on Proposed Zoning Map Amendments in a public hearing on Wednesday via Zoom. The request is to allow the storage, retail, and wholesale of propane to commercial and residential customers.
Alicia Barnes presented on behalf of the company. She said that the site is undeveloped and ideal for operating a propane retail and wholesale facility. The proposed operation is on one acre of land and compatible with the surrounding area’s commercial and industrial activities.
“The principals of Virgin Islands Propane, LLC are Sirri Hamad and Atta Misbeh. They are both well-known local businessmen who are active contributing members of the St. Croix community. Their combined business ventures have invested heavily in the territory, and they are continuing to demonstrate that investment and commitment to the territory with this current business venture,” said Barnes.
The investment of the entire project is estimated between $250,000 and $300,000 and is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2025 once all permits are obtained and completed between six to 12 months after. They approximate 10 local hires during the construction phase and five to six permanent employees during full operations.
Jozette Walker, assistant commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, said she was made aware that there are plans for solar development directly south of the one acre that principals of Virgin Islands Propane, LLC intends to occupy.
“I’m not sure if there will be any environmental concerns as it regards propane and the placement of the storage tanks as well as having the solar farms in close proximity to that,” said Walker.
Barnes responded by thanking Walker for the insight and said, “As we move forward, we are with the permitting for the project. We are committed to ensuring that we comply with the permitting requirements and our special conditions associated with the development.”
Territorial Planner for the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning, Leia LaPlace-Mathew, asked about the location of the business. She also referenced the two companies nearby, St. Croix Gas and Antilles Gas, and said, “Since those two companies are nearby, what was the reasoning for its location seeing that there are no companies in the west?”
“Compactability in terms of the appropriate zoning. That was most attractive. Being able to enter into a lease agreement with the government of the Virgin Islands and as we traverse further west we get into residential areas. It presented more of an attractive option logistically as well,” Barnes responded.
During questioning for the public, Carey Guilbeau from the HOVENSA Environmental Response Trust, which was established when HOVENSA filed for bankruptcy and works on behalf of DPNR and EPA, said, “We do actively remediate the area being discussed. There is a well located 15 feet from the fence.”
Barnes clarified about the type of wells on the property. “When we say wells, I don’t want it to be perceived that it is the standard wells from drinking water purposes or agriculture purposes. This is in fact a recovery well to recover petroleum products that were released into the environment during the refinery operations.” To which Guilbeau agreed.
Barnes added that the applicant is not opposed to cooperating to ensure that this development does not affect the ongoing monitoring.
Additional public comments are accepted until Sunday, June 2, by emailing leia.laplace@dpnr.vi.gov.
