Food Box gas station planned for 1431-Mustang Drive intersection
This slab of concrete at RR 1431 and Mustang Drive in Marble Falls soon could be the entrance to a new gas station. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
A convenience store and gas station might be going up at the intersection of RR 1431 and Mustang Drive just east of Marble Falls, an area with no immediate fueling options.
The Marble Falls City Council approved a conditional-use permit during its regular meeting Tuesday, June 3, that would allow construction of a fuel station on 2.89 acres of property at 301 RR 1431, about a half-mile east of Marble Falls proper and near Highland Oaks Apartments at 1600 Mustang Drive.
The Food Box convenience store and station would be built on a vacant site zoned for general commercial use. Plans include a 7,000-square-foot store, 6 fuel pumps, 34 parking spots, dark sky lighting, an 8-foot wall separating the station from the apartment complex, and hundreds of ornamental trees and plants.
The project also calls for adding a deceleration lane along RR 1431 and left-turn lanes on Mustang Drive to accommodate increased traffic from customers.
The Food Box store would be the only major fueling station in the area; the next-closest gas stations are a Valero at 808 U.S. 281 North and an Exxon at 1003 RR 1431. Each are about a mile away on either side of the 281-1431 intersection.
The City Council’s decision to approve the permit was not unanimous. Place 1 Councilor Griff Morris was the sole dissenter in the 5-1 vote, while Place 4 Councilor Karlee Hubble was absent from the meeting. Planning & Zoning Commissioner MaxAnne Jones was against recommending it for council approval in another 5-1 vote.
Morris cited safety concerns for his “no” vote.
“Have you all driven up there and pretended like you’re going to turn in to get gas?” he asked from the City Council dias. “That is one dangerous area.”
Place 6 Councilor Craig Magerkurth, who ultimately voted “yes,” raised concerns about the type of traffic coming through the area.
“(The Planning & Zoning Commission), when they were considering (the conditional-use permit), on the weekends, every other vehicle is a large truck pulling a large trailer full of (four-wheel-drive vehicles),” he said. “This is going to be the closest gas station to Hidden Falls (an off-roading adventure park).”
The project could hinge on if the Texas Department of Transportation requires a traffic impact analysis, which, if needed, would likely be conducted during the school year in August or September.
Property owners within 200 feet of the proposed gas station were notified of plans and none provided comment. One apartment complex resident responded of their own accord to oppose the project.
1 thought on “Food Box gas station planned for 1431-Mustang Drive intersection”
Comments are closed.
Not sure if a ‘fuel hole’ of 1 mile to the next gas station would constitute a strong push for ANOTHER gas station.