MELFA, Va. (Delmarva Now) — A Maryland developer who wants to bring Wawa and Chick-fil-A to Accomack County cleared a hurdle on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Accomack officials approved an application to conditionally rezone property for the project, which also will include apartment buildings.
The land is on Route 13 in Melfa, near the Virginia State Police barrack.
Jack Sizeman told the Accomack County Board of Supervisors in September he can't sign contracts for two planned commercial enterprises until the county has approved rezoning the property, which was zoned agricultural, for residential and general business use.
Still, he hinted, "Everybody loves a Wawa and a Chick-fil-A," calling the potential businesses, "two Triple-A-type clients."
The plan also includes three apartment buildings, totaling 45 units, with more to be added in the future, if demand warrants it.
The apartments will be modular-built, built on top of garages, with flat roofs and solar panels.
The commercial enterprises are critical to the economic viability of the project, Sizeman said in September.
The location is a good one, he said, noting, "It's close enough to the hospital, the college."
Additionally, the project — called Fox Meadows in documents in the meeting packet — is located along a public sewer line.
Traffic concerns nearby residents
Since the project last was presented to county supervisors, the county received highway department approval of a traffic impact analysis submitted by the applicant and also received proffers from the developer, said Mike Mason, Accomack County Administrator.
A traffic light at the intersection of Route 13 and Dogwood Drive along with other road improvements are proposed, with the developer to pay for those.
The developer bought the Edwards property immediately to the north along Dogwood Drive, according to information included in the Board of Supervisors meeting packet.
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Supervisor Donald L. Hart Jr. said residents of nearby Savageville are concerned about trash and traffic resulting from the development, and he noted: "this road (Dogwood Drive) also has a ton of potholes."
"That community which is behind there is very important to me," he said, adding, "Once these residences are put there, they are going to be part of that community."
Supervisor Paul Muhly said having a traffic signal installed at the intersection "is going to be a big bonus ... This is a dangerous intersection."
Among proffers the developer offered is agreeing to conditional approval of the rezoning, based on the use of one parcel for a fast-food restaurant and another parcel for a convenience store/gas station.
Among other proffers offered were to install landscaping beyond what the county requires; to install a traffic signal and other road improvements required by the highway department, and to connect to the county's sewer line.
The board voted to send back a related conditional use permit application for the project to the Planning Commission for additional review. A conditional use permit is required for the apartment buildings.
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