Supervisors approve WaWa

WaWa is coming to Daleville.

The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the application for a special exception permit (SEP) to allow the gas station and convenience store to locate on the corner of Glebe Road and Roanoke Road (US 220). The Board had tabled the motion for up to 60 days at the January meeting after a public hearing, but took it up at the February 27, 2024 meeting at the Botetourt County Administration Center at Greenfield in Amsterdam.

Fralin & Waldron, Inc. initiated the SEP request on behalf of WaWa. They also asked for, and the Board unanimously approved, a second SEP for signage.

Three people spoke during the most recent Board meeting in opposition to the WaWa. Numerous people spoke against the project at the January meeting. Reasons for opposition then included a preference for fire/rescue service at this location; potential illegal activity; additional traffic onto Glebe Road; a request for a better traffic study; the desire to not have a traffic light at Glebe Road and Roanoke Road intersection (though none is proposed or required by VDOT for this development); too many convenience stores within a three-mile radius; and a preference for this convenience store to be located nearer to Exit 150.

Following the January Board of Supervisors meeting, Botetourt County staff met with the applicant to discuss their application. As a result, staff proposed three additional conditions, which the Supervisors accepted and approved.

The main condition that pleased the supervisors was WaWa’s agreement to not advertise on the signs on Interstate 81, which the Board hoped would keep interstate traffic away from the Daleville area.

The WaWa officials also agreed to install a bike rack and a bench.

Chairman Steve Clinton asked if company had, “done anything to make this special?” Store officials cited the bike rack and bench. Clinton called them “minimal enhancements.”

He also made the motion to approve the development, which is in his Amsterdam District. “I think if we don’t approve this then we are facing unknown consequences,” he said. “It’s a prime site. I fully understand the difficulty a lot of people have with this but I think it’s in the best interest in the long term county as a whole that we proceed with this.”

Buchanan District Supervisor Amy White noted that the reason for the SEP was because the convenience store would be selling gasoline. “For any fuel station anywhere in the county it would have to be an SEP,” she said. “Any convenience store anywhere would require an SEP.”

Fincastle District Supervisor Brandon Nicely said the business would generate tax revenue. “This is a community oriented business. They support education; they’ll provide some jobs.” He said an earlier presentation on traffic had eased his concerns about congestion in the area.

Blue Ridge District Supervisor Walter Michael voted against the SEP for the WaWa. He noted that the Planning Commission had recommended denial of the project and he felt like the Board should listen to them. He also noted the concerns of citizens who live in the area.

                                                            — AJF, Special to The Botetourt Bee