By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
FELLSMERE — A smaller gas station has been approved, despite objections from Mayor Susan Adams. The issue stems from the developer’s desire not to redesign the facade to fit within the city’s regulations.
“What’s the point of having these regulations” if they’re not going to be enforced, Mayor Adams asked during a Fellsmere City Council meeting last week.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of approving the RaceWay, with the mayor casting the lone nay.
RaceTrac officials plan to build their smaller prototype – called RaceWay – east of McDonald’s on County Road 512.
Because the site is located within Fellsmere’s overlay district, it is supposed to be subject to special design and architectural rules – rules Mayor Adams tried to enforce.
She voiced objections over the company’s decision not to proceed with previously agreed upon changes to the face of the building, saying that the city is not getting more from RaceTrac by allowing the company to not follow the city’s design standards.
“We’re not waiving these rules for a company that’s bringing in 30 high paying jobs,” which might be worth it, Mayor Adams said.
Council members struck a compromise with Todd DuPlantis, the RaceWay developer, in order to move the project forward.
They would allow the gas station as designed with an all-brick face, so long as more potted plants and trees are placed along the front and at the columns.
Fellsmere’s design standards had required the facade to be a combination of brick and stucco in order to give it more dimension and character, according to Rochelle Lawndales, the city’s planner.
DuPlantis told the council that brick lasts longer and doesn’t have the mold and mildew problems stucco is known to have. Adding the stucco and redesigning the building’s face would have put RaceTrac over budget on the 10-pump gas station, DuPlantis said.
“We want to be part of the community,” he said, adding that the store would be hiring locals to staff the station.
Councilman Joel Tyson said that the city has been looking for something to move into that area for eight to 10 years.
“I just want to see something happen out there,” he said.
“Yeah, but Susan’s right,” said Councilwoman Sara Savage. “By doing this, too, you’re setting a precedent so the next one that comes along ‘Oh well, we know we can do this and we can do that because they want something to happen.’ So, to me it’s a kind of a Catch-22. Keep what we really want versus having something new.”
“That’s my point,” Mayor Adams said.
With approval, DuPlantis said that he expects to have the gas station open before the end of next year.
