Planning board recommends approval of Wawa site plan for Highland Park

The City of Newberry Planning & Zoning Board on Aug. 26 recommended that the Board of Adjustment adopt a resolution approving a site and development plan for a 6,372-square-foot Wawa convenience store with eight pumps (up to 16 fueling positions) on about 2.27 acres along State Road 26 in the Highland Park planned development. John Paul Perez of the Community and Development Department summarized the request and recommended approval. The recommendation matters because the site will add a fueling station and a convenience store adjacent to existing commercial and residential development in Highland Park, requiring conditions to limit impacts on nearby properties and ensure long-term maintenance of shared infrastructure. The board discussed design and operational details, then voted to forward the application with conditions. In its staff presentation, the city described the proposal as consistent with the approved level of development for Highland Park. The applicant team listed on the record includes Boller Engineering (applicant engineer), Solid Rock (agent), and owner Newberry Plaza. Staff noted several conditions to be resolved as part of final permitting: delivery of a service-drive maintenance agreement, rooftop mechanical equipment located below the parapet, accurate dumpster-enclosure elevations that match the site plan, and monument signs handled separately through a sign-variance application. Staff also carried forward a condition that a south wall sign be non-illuminated. Board members asked technical questions about canopy orientation and signage. The applicant’s in-house engineer, Adam Zion, told the board the canopy is “higher on the building side,” and confirmed canopy lighting is directed downward for security. A representative for the applicant said the team would be available to answer additional questions during the permit review. Signage and fuel-pricing placement drew specific discussion. Staff explained fuel-pricing panels and monument signage will be addressed through a separate sign variance and that one fuel-price display was proposed at the northwest corner near the service drive; the packet noted the sign face would be less than 100 square feet. Staff also said there will be no left-turn access from Newberry Lane into the neighborhood because of an FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) requirement, which informed the applicant’s decision to locate fuel-price signs where motorists entering the neighborhood can see them from the service drive rather than the State Road 26 frontage. The board conducted the matter under quasi-judicial procedure; those who spoke in support and the staff were sworn. After questions and discussion, the board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recommend adoption of Resolution 2025-38 (SDP 25-07) approving the site and development plan, subject to the conditions summarized by staff. The board’s motion was made and seconded by board members on the record and passed by voice vote. Next steps: the resolution and associated sign-variance application will proceed to the Board of Adjustment and then to permitting, where staff will require the outstanding items (maintenance agreement, updated dumpster elevations, sign variance) be resolved before final building permits are issued.