Chesapeake council denies Royal Farms gas station after residents raise traffic and safety concerns

Chesapeake — City Council voted unanimously to deny a proposed Royal Farms convenience store and 24-hour gas station at the Portsmouth Boulevard/Hampton Roads Parkway site in Western Branch after extensive public testimony and council discussion.

The applicant’s attorney, Tyler Rosa, described design and safety measures during the public hearing, saying, “We think this is a great project for this site,” and outlining plans for landscaping, directional lighting, fiberglass double-walled underground storage tanks with leak detection and 24-hour staffed operations. He also asked the council to defer consideration for 30 days to allow more community engagement; council declined the late continuance request.

Dozens of nearby residents told the council the project would worsen traffic near the Amazon fulfillment center, increase noise and light at night, threaten a nearby large live-oak landmark and depress nearby property values. “This decision is not just about another store,” said resident Corey Young. “It’s about public safety, environmental responsibility, traffic congestion, crime, and the long-term value of our neighborhoods.” Multiple speakers said truck staging and semi-trailer traffic would spill into residential streets because of the proposed diesel canopy.

Royal Farms representatives and project engineers emphasized crime-prevention design, security cameras, duress alarms, and traffic-mitigation commitments including a right-turn lane and coordinated signal timing. Tom Russin, a fuel/environment leader for the company, said stores are monitored 24/7 and staff are trained for underground storage tank operations and spill response.

Vice Mayor Ritter moved to deny the application, arguing the property’s split zoning and the demonstrated lack of neighborhood buy-in made denial appropriate. Doctor Ward seconded. Councilmembers who spoke during debate repeatedly cited traffic concerns and said the neighborhood had not been adequately assuaged by mitigation proposals. The motion to deny was adopted by a 9-0 vote.

The denial means the applicant will not receive the conditional zoning/use approvals for the proposed Royal Farms at this site. Council members and staff noted the decision does not bar the property from other uses permitted under current zoning, and that applicants may return with revised proposals that address the concerns raised by residents.

What’s next: The action taken was a denial of the application as presented; any new or amended proposal would require a new application and public hearing.