Planning Committee endorses service station upgrade
The owner of a Shell gas station and auto repair shop on the corner of Backlick Road and Industrial Road in the Springfield area of Mason District is planning to replace them with a new gas station and convenience store.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission endorsed the project on Feb. 5, after the Mason District Land Use Committee recommended approval on Jan. 28. A Board of Supervisors hearing hasn’t been scheduled yet.
The Petroleum Marketing Group (PMG) is seeking a zoning special exception to construct a one-story, 4,000-square-foot convenience store, new fuel islands with a canopy, and new underground storage tanks. The number of fuel pumps will be increased from four to six allowing up to 12 cars.
Demolition could start early next year if things go smoothly, says Christopher Decre, director of construction and development at PMG. Construction would take six to eight months.
The current gas station has been on the site for more than 50 years. According to PMG, demand for auto mechanic shops is declining. Also, small auto repair businesses, like this one, don’t have the technology to handle newer cars.
The two entrances on Backlick Road would be consolidated, resulting in just two curb cuts at the property – one on Backlick Road and one on Industrial Road.
The curb cuts would be moved further away from the Backlick/Industrial intersection but would still be closer to the intersection than required by VDOT. Obtaining waivers from VDOT delayed the project design by nearly a year.
PMG proposes new 10-foot trails along the property line on both roads and a crosswalk at the intersection. A swale behind the convenience store would retain stormwater.
The application calls for 16 regular and two handicap parking spaces. PMG plans to provide two spaces that could be used for future EV charging stations.
