Planning Commission nixes plan for Henderson gas station

By Paul Takahashi

Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

The Henderson Planning Commission unanimously denied an application for an Arco gas station to be built at the corner of Whitney Ranch Drive and Sunset Road during its monthly meeting Thursday night.

Applicant Lucca Real Property II LLC requested to build an 18-pump Acro gas station, an ampm convenience store, a TacoTime restaurant and an unattended car wash on the 1.2 acre corner property.

City planners recommended that commissioners deny the application because the proposed uses did not conform to the master plan for the Whitney Ranch Planning Area.

About a dozen Whitney Ranch residents and representatives from the Quail Bonita Office Park nearby protested the development, arguing there were better uses for the property.

Neighbors raised concerns about heavy traffic on Sunset Road trying to enter the gas station from the smaller two-lane Whitney Ranch Drive. Residents were especially concerned about the safety of students walking from the nearby Green Valley High School.

“It’s a pedestrian nightmare. This project would add to that problem,” said Whitney Ranch Homeowners Association President Dean Ishman. “We are adamantly opposed to this.”

Other neighbors took issue with what they see as a proliferation of convenience stores, fast food chains and gas stations in the area. However, because the parcel has been vacant for more than a year, commissioners weighed nearby residents’ concerns with their charge to promote economic development.

“When you have offices vacant and restaurants closing, you’re leaving very little alternatives for the (property) owners,” Commissioner John Marz said. “Do you want it to remain vacant?”

But Commissioners Michael Campbell and Terry Mannion said the neighborhood opposition was overwhelming.

After some debate, the commission voted to deny the application. The decision is final unless appealed the City Council within nine days.