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Petro Travel Center, things to consider
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments As I understand it, Petro has the land and entitlements to develop a travel center at the northwest corner of Mill Street and state Route 58. They acquired the rights to build there many years ago and have spent a considerable amount of money and need to move forward with the construction plans.

No one in Tehachapi seems to think that this site would be suitable for many reasons, namely the heavy traffic already to and from the post office and the Denny’s Restaurant. Add to it the future traffic that will be generated by the new Holiday Express Inn, the Tehachapi Hospital and all the other new businesses vying to locate in this area. Then, include the heavy, slow-moving trucks trying to negotiate their way in, and out of that same corner and it becomes obvious that this is not a workable plan.

Due to the opposition from both the city and the general public, the Petro people agreed to consider an alternate site that the city suggested would be more suitable.
Looking along state Route 58 in an easterly direction, the most obvious location where such an operation might fit within the city boundaries was on the Tehachapi Airport property near, the proposed Dennison Road off ramp.

From an aviation point of view, this location would not jeopardize airport operations and would in fact enhance and help support the city and airport through lease payments, taxes, etc.

Another inducement to locating here is that it would secure the assistance in funding the planned interchange at Dennison Road and state Route 58. This sorely needed interchange will eliminate the age-old problem of access and egress across the railroad tracks at Dennison when blocked by train traffic. The residents in Ashe Village will no longer need to endure the heavy traffic which now rumbles along past their homes to the recycling operation and will finally have a safe, alternate route instead of illegally trespassing along railroad property when Dennison is blocked by a train.

Since the city and the airport control the leases on the airport property, there will be some assurances and guaranteed compliance with all the terms of the lease documents. This should lay to rest any concerns the Tehachapi residents may have concerning any threats to the safety and quality of life in that area. Airport leases are strictly controlled, and the grounds are patrolled much more effectively than property and operations elsewhere. Any non-compliance with health and safety will elicit a very quick response from the city and airport authorities.

Some folks are concerned about losing the rodeo grounds that they are presently
enjoying for a very low-cost lease arrangement with the airport. This operation can easily be relocated to a new and improved location near the Benz-Visco Sports facility east of town along state Route 58. This area would be much more suitable and would still have  58 exposure.

The Dennison site for the Petro Travel Center would not only serve truckers but many travelers who would otherwise drive past Tehachapi. They may now slow down long enough to discover Tehachapi and all that it has to offer. Truckers would no longer have to park their rigs all over the hill top for a few hours rest. It certainly makes more sense to locate this travel center adjacent to a very prominent recycling operation and junk yard than next to our very busy post office, a first-class three story Holiday Express Inn and the future Tehachapi City Hospital. The Dennison site makes for good planning and common sense.

Editor’s Note: Mr. Sandy’s letter is a followup on the presentation he made to the
Tehachapi City Council last month. He submitted his remarks to the Tehachapi News prior to the council meeting, unfortunately the News has not been able to publish those comments until this week. The city council voted against the Petro Travel Center on airport property.

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