By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A high-profile site in Whitewater once used for filling up vehicles with gas will instead house an auto parts store as part of a plan approved recently by city officials.
The Common Council on May 17 approved a developer’s agreement with a company under the legal name Whitewater AAP LLC.
The local entity will be operating a 6,750-square-foot franchised Advance Auto Parts store at the intersection of Main and Elizabeth streets. A since-razed Mobil gas station had occupied the site previously.
Several governing bodies — including the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the Plan and Architectural Review Commission — have been reviewing the repurposed plans for the site with favorable recommendations.
Under terms of the agreement, Whitewater AAP and the city itself will work in tandem on a series of infrastructure improvements at and near the parcel.
City Manager Cameron Clapper said during the meeting actual construction work at the site was not expected to be lengthy. Construction began immediately at the site.
“The original estimate was a couple weeks, and I believe we’re still in line with that,” Clapper said at the time.
The list of improvements includes relocating streetlights and moving a driveway leading into the property so it matches up with a similar schematic directly across the street.
Terms of the agreement also spell out that Whitewater AAP is responsible for environmental-related issues, which will require gaining permits from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Also in the agreement is a stipulation that gives the city a small easement on the parcel so it can readily access a sewer line running through the perimeter of the property.
