The Martin County Board of County Commissioners has cast a deciding vote, cementing the future presence of a Wawa gas station in the community. The vote occurred today, with a 4-1 tally favoring the establishment of the convenience store and fueling outpost at the juncture of SW Locks Road and SW Kanner Highway. As WPTV reports, this decision follows a split recommendation from the Local Planning Agency last week, reflecting the development's divisive nature among local stakeholders.

The planned Wawa will sprawl over 5,500 square feet and is set to feature 12 gas pumps, strategically located to the west of I-95. Prevailing concerns from residents have centered around potential traffic consequences—a worry accentuated by the station's proximity to major traffic thoroughfares such as I-95 and the Turnpike. Residents have attended recent meetings, including one at which the board voted 2-2 to recommend the development, to address these concerns, fearing the station will significantly increase congestion and the risk of accidents. Voicing concern, John Turner, a resident near the future gas station site, told WPTV, “This corner is going to cause tremendous congestion in the morning and at night."

Despite objections, the commissioners' vote has set the stage for development to proceed. With the new gas station's approval, residents are bracing for the changes it will bring to the community's landscape and daily rhythms. As detailed in the WFLX coverage of the story, the dissenting voices at the Local Planning Agency session and subsequent commission meeting signaled substantial community engagement with the issue—engagement that ultimately did not sway the commissioners' majority decision.

Concerns from the community echo Turner's sentiment, as captured by WPTV: “You're going to have people getting on and off I-95, the Turnpike, and they're unfamiliar with the area. We're going to have accidents.”