One Boone County Wawa proposal treks ahead, another stays on the table for now

Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
One of two Wawas proposed in Northern Kentucky could be built on Mount Zion Road and Dixie Highway in unincorporated Boone County.
One of two Wawas proposed in Northern Kentucky could be built on Mount Zion Road and Dixie Highway in unincorporated Boone County.

Two Wawa proposals in Boone County could bring gas stations and hoagies to the area. While one is progressing through local planning commissions, the other is on hold for the next month while Wawa representatives and other stakeholders try to work out traffic concerns.

The popular convenience store and gas station is known for its coffee varieties and menu items that includes hoagies, burritos, salads, and soup. The Wawa, Pennsylvania-based company also has a cult following with viral songs and shouts on popular TV shows.

It announced in December that its moving into Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana over the next few years. These two Boone County stores are the first ones introduced in Northern Kentucky. A final development plan for a Wawa in Colerain was approved Tuesday.

More: It's official: Wawa is opening a location in Colerain Township

The Enquirer reported on development specifics Monday. Here are a few updates on where the proposed stores stand after Wednesday night’s Zone Change/Concept Plan Committee.

Proposed Florence Wawa still on the table – for now

Traffic is a major factor standing in the way of the proposed Wawa in Florence.

Any decision has been pushed back to a zoning meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Boone County Fiscal Court.

The problem s twofold. The Kentucky Cabinet of Transportation is no longer allowing access points to Kentucky Route 18, Burlington Pike in the area being considered. So, if the Wawa is built, cars would have to enter and exit the gas station through Cardinal Drive.

A proposed Wawa in Florence is facing a major challenge because of traffic concerns at Burlington Pike and Cardinal Drive.
A proposed Wawa in Florence is facing a major challenge because of traffic concerns at Burlington Pike and Cardinal Drive.

Florence city staff said in a letter they do not support allowing access to Cardinal Drive because they're concerned traffic will back up as people try to get to the popular convenience store.

Patrick Warnement, real estate project engineer for Wawa, said the pushed back date is a sign a deal could possibly be made with both entities.

“Working with the folks is great. They're all nice. They've all got a job to do. Burlington Pike is very busy. So, we certainly understand why everybody's focused on it,” he said

Mount Zion Road Wawa easily moves onto next phase

The other proposed Wawa in unincorporated Boone County is proposed on about 2.6 acres at Mount Zion Road and Dixie Highway.

Wednesday night, the committee approved a zoning map amendment that would allow for the convivence store and gas station to be built at the site.

The next step is for the proposal to possibly get approval from the entire Planning Commission during the business meeting Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

If approved, the proposal will need approval from the Boone County Fiscal Court members, whose member will have about three months to either approve, modify, or deny the development.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wawa traffic concerns in Boone County could be hashed out