About OUR COMMUNITY GROUP IN Ghent WV

We are a group of community members passionate about keeping our quality of life in our little resort town.

A unwelcomed truck stop will decimate our way of life in and around this area of the county. Scroll down to learn more about what will be presented and why we must show up for the meeting, submit written comments and let our voices be heard. Tuesday January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

THIS IS A SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING AT THE GHENT VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT - PLEASE ATTEND!

The communities and recreational businesses surrounding Ghent includes Flat Top Lake, Winterplace Ski Resort, Camp Creek State Forest, Weathered Ground Brewery, Skyline Lodge, and an abundance of ATV trails with connections to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail. We are considered the Southern Raleigh County entrance of the world famous New River Gorge tourist area.

To learn more about Ghent, WV, and surrounding attractions, visit these informational sites:

https://datausa.io/profile/geo/ghent-wv

https://www.bestplaces.net/city/west%20virginia/ghent

ISSUE RESEARCH & DATA REFERENCES

Click on the questions below to learn more and see reference links to other sites.

What is the immediate issue?

GoMart filed an application to have the properties rezoned to Commercial (B1) on 12/2/24. At a Zoning Commission hearing on 12/19/24, we made our voices heard. And yet, at the end, the board approved a motion to recommend rezoning of the 26 acre parcel at the northwest corner of Odd Rd and Route 19 (Flat Top Rd).

Now the issue must go before the 3 county commissioners for discussion and final vote.

The commissioners have decided to visit Ghent and hold a special public meeting Tuesday evening, January 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The location will be the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department. Please do your best to show up!

Follow us on FaceBook for up to date news and instant alerts. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/459297313404464)

While the master plan, in which they show multiple uses of the entire 26 acres, the only portion that will be immenently developed is the truck stop.

Please write, email, and call the commissioners office to share your feelings and objections to the development of the truck stop. We have three elected and paid commissioners for Raleigh County - Daniel J. Hall, Linda K. Epling, and Greg Duckworth.

Call 304-255-9146

Write to 116 1/2 N Heber St, Beckley, WV, 25801

Email to RalCom@RaleighCounty.gov

What is being proposed?

Through the Freedom of Information Act, we have obtained the documents being reviewed at the December 19th meeting. All documents are shared here:

Zoning Amendment Petition

Site Overview

Topography Surveys

Title Report

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE, even though a site overview is submitted, GoMart is under no legal obligation to follow the development plan once the land is rezoned to commercial. Anything can be developed - including all 28 acres designated to a truck stop that can accomodate hundreds upon hundreds of of trucks.

Click here to see other Go Mart Truck Stops in WV. Note that the Harper Road location is 16 miles to the north (18 minutes), and that location is very close to another truck stop at Exit 44. To the south of the Ghent exit 28, 19 miles further is another truck stop, 20 minutes away.

Reference: https://www.stowit.com/blog/building-a-semi-truck-storage-yard#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20article%2C%20you,or%20drivers%20becoming%20blocked%20in. / https://raleighcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PZ-Ordinance-Nov-23.pdf

What is the problem with having a truck stop nearby?

A truck stop would bring dangerous and harmful aspects to our nearby community: Noise pollution, air pollution, light pollution, drugs, prostitution (especially with the hotel and Lion’s Den on the other side the exit). Increased crime and traffic congestion is a 100% probability, and human trafficking is also a very real possibility. Consider policing and (volunteer) fire safety services currently in place.

Also of issue, nearby property values will certainly decrease. This, in turn, would reduce tax revenue for Raleigh County, even though some of this could be replaced by taxes collected from the new facility.

Environmental risks, discussed next, along with the challenge of increased nefarious activities, round out the reasons why having truck stops are almost never a good idea in residental communities.

References: https://ceds.org/truckstops/ / https://www.01521.com/rm/00057rm-Flying-J-truck-stop.htm ,

What environmental issues could this cause?

Traffic Congestion - We have been informed that the new road way between Beaver, WV and Shady Spring will be 5-7 years before completed. This will direct even more traffic to Ghent to access the Interstate. Exit 28 can not handle this type of traffic as it is currently configured.
Noise Polution - Truck Braking for the Ghent Toll Booth is already an issue. The sheer number of trucks coming in and out of this facility would create an extreme amount of noise, in addition to the turnpike.
Light Pollution - Truck stops tend to operate 24/7, so the lights during the night would never go off.
Water Pollution - Run off heads towards Flat Top Lake, where it eventually flows into the Beckley water system. While the site would have storm water collection systems in place, there is still the possibility of a catastrophic event causing pollution in the nearby Flat Top Lake and further down Glade Creek into the Cool Ridge and Beckley water systems. And there are not enough inspectors to allow for regular annual inspections of storm water collection systems.
Air Pollution - According to a study by the Environmental Justice Research Lab, Trucks release dust from brake pads and pulverized tire rubber into the air. The study shows that when this pollution collects into water sediment under bridges, it can contain asbestos, lead, and other heavy metals. There is also a higher risk of asthma in children and lung cancer in adults.

References: https://raleighcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PZ-Ordinance-Nov-23.pdf / https://ejresearchlab.usc.edu/en/the-impact-project/ / https://dep.wv.gov/pio/Documents/Settlements%20and%20Orders/GO-MART%20INC.pdf / https://www.wvgazettemail.com/business/go-mart-agrees-to-12-000-fine-for-pollution/article_fd35d355-c45b-5129-ab8f-2e403c26cb98.html

What are the alternatives?

A semi-truck can travel 2,000 miles on one tank of gas.

Currently, there are 3 truck stops on the WV Turnpike and one small one operated at exit 44. The large travel Plaza in Beckley has a very negative affect on the property owners on Teel Rd according to folks who live there. It is very noisy and endless. The distance between the Beckley truck stop, which will accomodate 200 trucks, and the Blueridge Travel Plaza, which will accomodate 100 trucks, is approximately 35 miles.

According to experts we spoke with in fighting this development, factors that usually win truck stop and development cases are:

- 70% Demonstrating a large number of voters support our position,

- 15% Proving that concerns are supported by credible facts, and

- 15% The concerns directly relate to findings required to approve a truck stop

We need your help! Please show up for this meeting on January 21 at 6 p.m. to voice your opposition. We want the room packed with concerned citizens who live in the area or come as tourists to enjoy the amenities there. If you can't attend, write to the Board and/or sign the petition.

Reference: https://www.google.com/maps/search/nearby+truck+stops+along+i-77/@37.6454938,-81.25036,11.25z?entry=ttu / https://agdonline.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=345fc39ee11f4173afa99e134802814f

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

STEPS TO TAKE RIGHT NOW

Electronically Sign the Petition

STEP 1 - Click on this link to be taken to a petition where you can electronically sign to get your name added to the petitioners.

ATTEND THE MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

STEP 2 - The public hearing on January 21, 2025 at the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department. It starts at 6:00 p.m. We anticipate packing the room to voice our concerns and ensure that proper planning is in place for this development. This special meeting will be held at 2651 Flat Top Rd, Ghent, WV 25843 . PLEASE join us!

Share Your Concerns

STEP 3 - Share your concerns with neighbors and colleagues. Reach out to your local representatives to express your concerns. Click here to print a letter to mail to the Commission. You can also call the commission at 304.255.9146. Email the commissioners at ralcom@raleighcounty.gov. Bookmark this website and join the FaceBook group for regular updates.

Say NO to the UNNECESSARY Truck Stop being planned in Ghent, WV

About OUR COMMUNITY GROUP IN Ghent WV

ISSUE RESEARCH & DATA REFERENCES

PLEASE ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 21ST!

CALL TO ACTION

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

STEPS TO TAKE RIGHT NOW

Electronically Sign the Petition

ATTEND THE MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Share Your Concerns

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Community Against Proposed Ghent Truck Stop

Join Us

If you would like to,

Say NO to the UNNECESSARY Truck Stop being planned in Ghent, WV

About OUR COMMUNITY GROUP IN Ghent WV

ISSUE RESEARCH & DATA REFERENCES

PLEASE ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 21ST!

CALL TO ACTION

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

STEPS TO TAKE RIGHT NOW

Electronically Sign the Petition

ATTEND THE MEETING JANUARY 21, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Share Your Concerns

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Community Against Proposed Ghent Truck Stop

Join Us

If you would like to,

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