Gas Station Proposed at Former Whole Foods Site

This is an update about a proposed Gas Station at the corner of Carlisle and Indian School. Reporting on this was done by Nob Hill News. The Nob Hill News covers the goings on from San Mateo to I25 and from Gibson to I40. Please consider subscribing and supporting local reporting. Stay tuned to future updates on this issue on our website.

Gas Station Proposed at Former Whole Foods Site

Neighborhood opposition begins to form

By Damon Scott

Neighbors near a former Whole Foods Market location are concerned after a fuel company revealed its intention to develop a gas station and convenience store at the site. The sizable plot at Carlisle and Indian School has largely been dormant since Whole Foods opened a replacement store across the street more than a year ago, save for a seasonal Spirit Halloween outlet.

For at least some nearby residents and neighborhood associations, the idea of a gas station at the site is troubling. There are already three in the immediate vicinity—Chevron, Circle K and Shell.

“To my knowledge all sentiment disclosed to us in our community is negative towards a fourth gas station on that block,” Michael Long, president of the Netherwood Park Neighborhood Association located just west of the site, said.

Long and members of the NPNA recently met with representatives of Maverik, the company interested in adding an 11th Albuquerque location at the site, to hear plans and voice concerns, which include increased traffic, noise, crime and litter. Reps told the NPNA that the project would likely take up half of the current site, with some demolition expected.

The NPNA said it’s notified other area neighborhood associations—Summit Park, Altura Park and Albuquerque North Campus—of the proposed development.

“We were told during the meeting with [Maverik] that they would send an updated site plan that would include a couple of suggestions we had, such as no parking behind the store along the alley,” Cheryl Gerwin, NPNA treasurer, said.

Gerwin also said that Maverik’s plans included preservation of the giant red arrow sculpture that’s been in the southeast corner of the parking lot since 1961.

The proposed development requires that a conditional use permit be approved by the city before it could move forward. Maverik representatives held a preapplication meeting with the city’s Planning Department on Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, while the proposed project is squarely on City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn’s radar, she said she’s limited in what she can say about it.

“Unfortunately, I cannot discuss any specific fueling station permit application,” Fiebelkorn said in a statement. “Once an application has been made to the city, it becomes a quasi-judicial issue because the city council is the ultimate land use authority for Albuquerque.”

Fiebelkorn said she doesn’t want to have to recuse herself from any votes that impact her District 7.

“If I’ve had outside conversations on the specifics of the permit request, I would have to recuse myself,” she said. “So I must not prejudge any applications.”

Fiebelkorn was willing to admit, however, that she has “strong views” on fueling stations in general. She plans to propose an amendment to the city’s Integrated Development Ordinance during its current biennial update process that would prohibit the location of new fueling stations near residences.

But even if that were to be successful, it’s unclear if it would apply to the current Maverik application.

“There are serious health impacts to residents who are subjected to toxic pollutants from fueling and vehicle emissions,” Fiebelkorn continued in the statement. “Of course, there is also the risk of soil and water contamination due to leaks and spills. Some studies suggest that property values can decrease for nearby residential properties because of these environmental risks, coupled with increased noise and traffic.”

In the meantime, Fiebelkorn hopes residents will get involved in the public input process, which is required for a conditional use permit.

Information on permit applications and public hearings is available online. Agendas are posted for conditional use applications through the zoning hearing officer. To contact Fiebelkorn’s office, click here.