FAIRBORN — A heavily contested piece of legislation to approve or deny the construction of a WaWa gas station and grocery store was moved months away at the applicant’s request.
The ordinance was originally brought to the council on Aug. 7 but was moved to the following council meeting on Aug. 21 because it required a public hearing before it could be approved or denied by the council.
The ordinance is for approval of a WaWa convenience store to be built at 600 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Road, right next to residential units and across the street from Community Park.
Prior to Aug. 21, however, Fairborn released a statement postponing the hearing: “At the applicant’s request, the Public Hearing and 2nd Reading of the Ordinance for the proposed WaWa at 600 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, previously scheduled for the Fairborn City Council Meeting on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. has been postponed. Per the applicant’s request, the Public Hearing and 2nd Reading of the Ordinance will not occur until the December 18, 2023, Fairborn City Council Meeting. City Council will take no action on the WaWa request on Monday, August 21, 2023.”
According to the resolution from the city planner for the Aug. 7 hearing, the planning board members recommended denial of the resolution following weeks of discussions with community members and nearby residents.
A community meeting was held on April 24, where residents were outspoken in their disapproval of the store. Reasons for disapproving include a fear of rodents, environmental impact, decrease in property value, opposing a 24-hour operation and dozens more. The resolution does say staff received some emails in support of the project, but the majority is undoubtedly against it.
The Aug. 7 council meeting also prompted one citizen to come forward and urge the council to deny the resolution.
“They’re fine companies, that’s not the issue,” said resident Sheila Keeton at the meeting. “It’s the location that’s a concern.”
The issue is now set to be resolved at the council meeting on Dec. 18. The Daily Herald reached out to WaWa representatives for comment.
Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.
