HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #005 Cory Phillips
Shestak, Joe
From:Cory Phillips <coryphill@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, June 28, 2020 5:43 PM
To:Shestak, Joe
Subject:Gas Station at 131st and Towne
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
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Hi Mr. Shestak,
I would like to voice a concern regarding the Proposed gas station at 131st and Towne Rd to the Planning Commission.
First, thank you for taking the time to read this, I know you're busy, and this is incredibly important to my family.
We just learned about the upcoming development of a 6 bay gas station and car wash within the Village of West Clay. I
want to say that I am for commercial development in the area, but the current proposal would put the health and safety
of the nearby residents at risk. To be as organized and concise as possible I've organized my concerns numerically
below.
1. Placing a Gas Station in such close proximity to existing homes will expose residents to harmful vapors proven to
cause cancer (Benzene). Studies from John Hopkins University found an increase in childhood leukemia, birth defects,
and cancer for those living within a 300-500 foot radius. This places the residents at the Stratford, Townhome Residents,
Primrose School Children, and the closest row of homes at great risk. Other states and cities have banned gas stations
from building this close to existing residential homes and schools.
2. The traffic will increase the likelihood of pedestrian collisions. This station has the probability to receive 2000-3000
visits per day (based on typical gas station statistics) By placing this gas station in a location frequented by both fast-
moving vehicles (40mph speed limits) and hundreds of pedestrian cross overs. The current infrastructure lends itself to
safety concerns for those who live here and utilize the walking and biking paths. We have not seen any traffic studies on
the destination or directional traffic. Have any been completed recently to show how this may be accounted for?
3. The long term sustainability of a gas station in this neighborhood is questionable given the close proximity of other
larger and more frequented gas stations. Statistics are not in favor of smaller gas stations succeeding, and we have had
previously unsuccessful convenience stores in the neighborhood. If this does fail, the costs to remediate the site to a
usable piece of property will be extensive, and the environmental impacts will be lasting.
I've read the minutes from past meetings and documents claiming strong support from the Village of West Clay
residents for such a project. But, I can honestly tell you many residents did not know about it. When the zoning was
originally changed in 2015, The Village of West Clay was told in an email to think "pediatric office" in order to gain
residents' support. I understand that this is zoned commercial, but putting in a gas station will directly impact the well
being and health of all nearby residents.
Please vote against the variance and help us keep our neighborhoods clean and safe.
Thank you for your time.
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Cory
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