Minneola City Council unanimously approved requests that will allow RaceTrac, a convenience store and gas station, to build on property located at U.S. Hwy 27 and W. Washington St. Minneola.
Before council approved the commercial site, RaceTrac agreed to dedicate a right of way to the city to improve Washington Street. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Pat Kelley emphatically stated that Washington St. must be fixed and that RaceTrac needs to work with Lake County to make it happen. Washington Street is presently a county road. The dedicated right of way and impact fees will help to fix the street and preserve business parking along the street.
Residents living close to the commercial site expressed concern that a 24-hour gas station would increase traffic, noise, and safety issues. Businesses along U.S 27, Minneola had a different opinion. The local businesses believe that RaceTrac and the dedicated right of way that RaceTrac has promised to the city will improve Washington Street and the entire area.
Once all agreements are approved and signed, the project will take between 5 months and 1.5 years to complete, depending on who will handle construction of the road (the county or RaceTrac). Browne Distributors Landscape Supply will move its business within 24 months.
