The motion to withdraw the Wawa project from Fairfield City Council’s agenda also included a note, as recommended by Law Director Steve Wolterman, that the body received a recommendation against the project from planning commission.
The move to withdraw came a month after more than 80 Fairfield residents said they didn’t want to see the gas station chain ― which already will see three being built in the city ― at the corner of Pleasant Avenue and John Gray Road.
That overwhelming response prompted the developer, STNL Development, to send a letter to the city on July 25 withdrawing the planned unit development zone change and concept plan application. The development was not recommended by the Fairfield Planning Commission at its July 10 meeting.
“While our team believes that the proposed development was an opportunity to provide great benefits to the city of Fairfield and to the community, the lack of support for the project indicates that the withdrawal of the PUD Application is the appropriate action,” wrote Jonathan Wocher, with STNL Development. “We appreciate the time and effort of the city staff and members of City Council and Planning Commission on this application.”
The location was chosen because it is “prime real estate,” Wocher said at the July 8 Fairfield City Council meeting. The plan was to purchase the 24.1-acre lot, use 4.6 acres and donate the balance to the city of Fairfield. The $7.5 million development by Wawa would have created 40 jobs.
Three Wawas are planned for Fairfield: Ohio 4 and Symmes Road, Bypass Ohio 4 and Tylersville Road, and Mack Road at Ohio 4. This is part of Wawa’s push to saturate the Buckeye state with as many as 60.
What will happen with the property owned by John and Paul McGilliard is unknown as it has been for sale for a while. The land hasn’t been developed in the past due to streams, elevation changes and utility lines.
Five Wawas are planned to open in Southwest Ohio in the first half of 2025, including the first scheduled to open in Deerfield Twp. Other Wawas opening in early-to-mid-2025 include the Fairfield location at Dixie Highway at Symmes Road, the Cincinnati-Dayton Road location in Liberty Twp, Courseview Drive in Mason and Glensprings Drive in Springdale.
There are a few planned Wawa locations in the Miami Valley area, but the Huber Heights Wawa location is expected to be that region’s first, opening in mid-2025.
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