Commission forwards favorable recommendation for Millington truck stop with conditions after hours, traffic and noise debate

The Kent County Planning Commission voted 6–1 to forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals on a special‑exception application for a proposed Friendly Travel Plaza at 31701 River Road in Millington, but only after adding conditions intended to address residents' concerns about traffic, overnight truck activity, noise and stormwater.

Planning staff (Carla Gerber) summarized the concept: a two‑story convenience/store building with second‑floor showers and laundry for drivers, separate truck and car fueling canopies, EV charging stations and a truck wash. Staff noted a parking‑location waiver would be needed and flagged lot coverage and critical‑area questions tied to a possible growth‑allocation request. Staff recommended forwarding a favorable recommendation with technical conditions to be resolved at preliminary review.

Public testimony was lengthy and sharply critical. Neighbors and conservation groups raised concerns about truck queuing onto local roads and the roundabout, potential spills from a truck wash and nighttime noise. Janet Christiansen Lewis, chair of the Kent Conservation & Preservation Alliance, asked the commission to forward an unfavorable recommendation, saying the record lacked a State Highway Administration review and site‑specific analysis of noise and idling impacts. "People live near this proposed travel plaza... These are their homes, it's their neighborhoods…They will live with the additional truck traffic, noise, air pollution, lighting, and other impacts," she said.

Applicants said the project would improve current stormwater conditions through BMPs and reuse for the truck wash ("75% reuse minimum" was cited), that they have existing water and sewer capacity (12 EDUs) and that they would revise circulation/stacking as part of a full traffic study prepared for preliminary review. The applicant also offered operational commitments made in response to community input, including removing alcohol sales from the proposal and pledging to limit overnight truck parking.

After extended deliberation, commissioners approved a motion to recommend approval to the Board of Appeals subject to three main conditions: submission of a traffic study reviewed and acknowledged by the State Highway Administration, a four‑hour maximum truck parking limit included in the operation and maintenance plan, and a prohibition on alcohol sales at the site. The roll call recorded six ayes and one nay.