Folks opposed to a gas station at a key intersection in Albuquerque won a crucial victory recently when city officials denied a conditional use approval for a proposed new Maverik location at Carlisle Boulevard and Indian School Road.
The gas station would have been the fourth within a few hundred feet of the intersection.
Maverik can still appeal the decision until April 16. But Carl Garcia with ABQ Land Use Consulting, who has been representing Maverik in the zoning process, says even if they did, it wouldn’t be a guarantee the fuel center would open.
“There would still be the whole permitting process, inspections,” he said.
Garcia said he has not been informed by Maverik officials whether or not they will pursue an appeal. Either way, he said he understands the ruling and respects the examiner’s decision.
“He’s a very well respected professional,” he said, “so I have nothing but good things to say about the Zoning Hearing Examiner and his decision.”
Those opposed to the new Maverik are not letting their guard down just yet.
Eric Kruger is with the North Campus Neighborhood Association, one of six such groups that formed a coalition to stand against the new construction. He said if an appeal does happen, they would most likely consult a land use attorney.
“We already have overwhelming documentation in the public record.” he said. “So, I don't know that we would need to do a lot more, and sort of say, ‘let's do this all over again. Everyone submit public comment.’ I think we would try to be a little more targeted.”
By “overwhelming documentation,” Kruger means the dozens of people who spoke at the zoning hearing last month. Those speakers brought up a range of concerns from excess traffic and safety, to health, noise, pollution and more.
“I felt like our job was really just to bring that evidence to the table and allow them to make the best decision that they could according to the rules and city policy,” he said, “and that's what they did.”
Kruger said if Maverik does bow out without an appeal, he’d like to see the site become something that encourages several different types of businesses that serve the varying needs of the community, and can provide more jobs.
Support for this coverage comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
