Two hours before a November 15, 2023 Suffolk, Virginia City Council hearing, the Conditional Use application for a proposed gas station was withdrawn.

CEDS assisted area residents concerned about impacts of the proposed gas stations by:

• • Drafting a detailed letter providing the:
    • Peer reviewed scientific studies documenting adverse health effects to those living within 500- to 1,000-feet of a gas station, while
    • Showing that denial of this specific gas station would not set a precedent precluding new gas stations elsewhere in Suffolk, and that
    • The health effects failed to meet required Conditional Use findings, therefore
    • The City Council was obligated to deny the Conditional Use Permit application.
  • CEDS also creating an online petition urging denial of the application which was signed by 261 area residents, then:
    • Provided our clients with an aerial showing signer locations and the reasons signers gave for why they were concerned about gas station effects, both of which demonstrated to City Council members that a large number of voters living in their District were deeply troubled by the project.
  • CEDS also suggested options for searching among petition signers for professionals who could present no-cost expert testimony at the City Council hearing, as well as
  • Providing our clients with suggested testimony along with other services.

Our clients believe the Conditional Use request was withdrawn when the applicant learned they did not have the necessary City Council votes.

For further detail contact ceh.civicleague@gmail.com.

For further detail on how CEDS can help visit the How To Stop Poorly-Planned Gas Stations & Convenience Stores webpage or contact us at 410-654-3021 or help@ceds.org.