HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #039 Sarah & Don Fortener
Shestak, Joe
From:Sarah Nicely Fortener <snfortener@nicelycreative.com>
Sent:Saturday, July 4, 2020 2:25 PM
To:Shestak, Joe
Cc:Nelson, Miles D; Brainard, James C
Subject:Proposed Family Express and gas station
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Completed
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Mr. Shestak,
As residents of the Village of WestClay, we are opposed to locating a Family Express and gas station within the Village.
Such a venture is totally out of character for this neighborhood and inconsistent with the quality of life most of the Village’s
residents have sought by moving here and investing in this community. We do not recall a Village survey being offered for
us to complete and would suggest that a newer survey be made available to Village residents to verify Mr. Terp’s
statement that “the residents of the Village strongly support the Family Express convenience store in Uptown.”
Perhaps the area at Towne and Main was originally set aside to be a gas station (we weren’t here at the time), but times
change. What seemed to be a good idea 20 years ago may not be so today. Following is just a brief summary of the
multitude of problems associated with this proposed use of the property.
Traffic—It has been found that a single gas pump at convenience stores can generate 100 to 130 car visits per day. We
are not clear on how many gas pumps the Family Express’s “six bays” might contain (six pumps? 12 pumps?), but even if
there are “only” six pumps, that would be an additional 600 to 780 cars in that area each day; if 12 cars can be
accommodated at the bays, the number of car visits jumps to a potential 1560. This estimated traffic load does not include
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cars headed for the convenience store itself (as an example, a 1000-ft store generates another 800 to 1200 trips per
day). And such traffic could potentially continue until 2:00 a.m., the proposed closing time? Have any traffic studies been
done? What impact on traffic would the requested variances have? Is it really necessary for the Village to have one of the
largest gas stations in Carmel?
Crime—Convenience store robberies account for 6% of crimes nationwide. More locally, shootings resulting in deaths
have occurred at two Family Express stores (Lafayette and Remington), and there have been numerous armed robberies
(e.g., Lafayette, Mishawaka, Hobart, St. John, Trail Creek). Shoplifting is also an issue with convenience stores. We do
not see how attracting such criminal activity is to our benefit.
Pollution and toxic chemicals—Numerous hazardous compounds are associated with the operation of a gas station,
among them benzene and toluene, both of which have well-documented toxicological effects. Young children should not
be exposed to such chemicals, but Primrose School is quite close to this location. Due to the large hardscape required,
significant quantities of toxic chemicals will inevitably wash off into the surrounding ground, polluting both the ground and
the groundwater within it. Other chemicals will dissipate into the air. It’s interesting that the FHA won’t even approve
mortgages for homes within 300 feet of larger gas stations.
Light pollution—Then there is the issue of light pollution. Lights on until 2:00 a.m.? Will they even be turned off at that time
or remain on all night?
Noise pollution—All of that increased traffic will undoubtedly lead to heightened noise levels, which would be most
unwelcome.
Again, these are just a few of the drawbacks of this plan. Thank you for your consideration.
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Sarah & Don Fortener
12455 Branford Street
snfortener@nicelycreative.com
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