7MB condo owners object to ‘green’ gas station
Refuel gas station in Industrial Park, Grand Cayman
(CNS): A number of owners at the luxury condo developments Water’s Edge and the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman have raised objections to a planing application by Refuel to open a new station close to the high-end residences on the West Bay Road. The project proposed by Travers Gas Station was scheduled to be heard by the Central Planning Authority on Wednesday, but the wealthy owners are not pleased about plans for a fuel station, including a convenience and retail liquor store, so close to their beachfront condos.
Refuel already has one station in George Town and the company is hoping to make the West Bay Road home to its second one. The company, which sells “emission reducing ethanol blended gasolines and biodiesel”, said in its application that it was the only fuel brand in Cayman “bringing the vision of the National Energy Policy to life”, and since the other gas stations will not sell the greener fuel, it must do so through its own brand, which is why it is seeking to open another station.
“It is our vision to slowly educate the population on the benefit of these modern emission reducing fuels and integrate them further into the market while pursuing second generation renewables that can be made locally, to one day reduce Cayman’s reliance on imports,” the company CEO wrote in the planning application. He said fuel retailers are under tremendous pressure to reduce fuel costs and the only way Refuel can cut prices is by increasing the volume of sales.
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But objectors believe that there are already enough gas stations on the West Bay Road and such businesses should not be in tourist areas. Some owners of the luxury condos are fixed on how the station could “adversely affect the market values of the nearby properties, which were developed to attract and retain high net worth investors”.
The Water’s Edge Condominium Executive Committee said the site is adjacent to “prestigious residences and will juxtapose such high value properties with a filling station open 24/7, attracting sources of noise, atmospheric and light pollution and smells, in an area which is predominantly residential.”
The objectors have also submitted feature articles from the US press indicating that gas stations diminish property values.
But the planning department also notes that the Central Planning Authority granted permission to another gas station close by in 2016, and although residents appealed in 2017, the CPA’s decision was upheld.
Details of Application by Travers Gas Station
Gas station application – additional information
See the full CPA Agenda for 24 April here
Will aviation fuel be available so I can get to my penthouse on the 50th floor?
Westbay Road land is what, $4m an acre now? Gives you an idea how much money these gas stations are making from us!
Petrol stations are for low rent areas. Entirely unsuitable location.
I would love another refuel gas station, best prices on island. Also put one up my way in savannah.
why do we need another gas station? my last count there are 5 gas stations from the 4 way stop in west bay to GT. one for every 2 miles, i would say that’s enough?
We only have one Refuel though.
Yeah. You may have to drive as much as 6 or 7 miles to get to it from West Bay. Horror!
One too many
Travers versus the type of clients that he serves – such irony.
Popcorn please 😂
Are you implying a silver spoon?
Exactly..Where’s the limit
I got an idea trav buddy, re-apply under the guise that your a “foreign investor” and watch how quickly that application will fly thru without a single objection ! Anti-caymanian discrimination is alive and well, we need to take our heads out of the sand.
When we build a couple of 50 storey skyscrapers in the Seven Mile Beach Corridor we will need more gas stations. Sad but true.
But is it a high end gas station?
Define high end gas station
Define no grasp of sarcasm.
“in an area which is predominantly residential.” … Literally every other area on this island (besides central GT) is “predominantly residential”. SMB is more of a resort town built on a city strip. You built your condos on strip that is already has gas stations, fast food restaurants, bars, parades, office buildings, etc… I wish this platform had gifs…
I wish anybody would have cared that my property value decreased once the Frank Hall development close to my house was built, my neighbor started storing junk cars in his yard, and the road is constantly lined with litter…… all things which contributed to a subpar rating on the neighborhood scale of our last property valuation which also effects the overall value.
Property values don’t just affect the rich folks…
Refuel is cheaper and more energy efficient, yet somehow he can’t put in an application to expand when there are dozens of rubis and esso? Honestly, we don’t need more luxury hotels anyway. I have a feeling this will ultimately be approved and the Ritz will have to deal.
Refuel is NOT more energy efficient.
Ethanol’s energy density is less than gasoline, simple physics. Using Refuel’s E10 blend, you get about 3% less MPG. It’s currently ~4% cheaper than traditional gas at ESSO, so you walk away with a major 1% savings.
Granted, you’re using a less dirty fuel, but it isn’t the miracle fuel they make it out to be. Yes, I use Refuel myself, but only because I cross it regularly. Not worth the drive if you’re not in GT.
the point that one boutique station is able to even come close to matching, let alone undercut the pricing of major regional fuel suppliers amazes me. whatcould Refuel do if they were allowed to expand and compete at size.
Fully agreed JD, but I believe one would drive away, not walk. 😛
Ethanol is one of the worst things for the engine. Don’t even think of using it for your boat, generator, lawn equipment, or any 2-stroke motor.
The miracle fuel we need, needs to cost $3/gal
Dirt does not burn so what’s your point? I’d rather take the slight loss in cetane number rather that plugging filters or worse damage to my cylinders.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density#/media/File:Energy_density.svg
Alden where is the development plan ?
On the shelf, next to the Miller Shaw report.
Best place for the Miller Shaw Report is in the garbage not the shelf – a no substance report filled with republican drivel!
..said the civil servant.
I gonna say my small piece. I for one went for my drivers license in early 1992. Only error I made was when I was reversing up by the Cricket Field. I corrected it and was told. Very rudely by the police officer. Drive back to the station, you failed. Am happy not to drive. I want to see the Refuel gas station, so that my Caymanian drivers have more of a choice.
If only this so called fake, unity government could get a hold on our public transport needs properly. Take over the bus service. Hire only Caymanians, pay them a decent monthly salary, so that they can provide for their families. And stop catering to the rich and remember you own people are suffering and moving away. Oh my but no the condo owners, the same filthy rich folks we Caymanians have welcomed and others who move here and. We allow them to treat us as dogs in our own country.
A rebillion is coming Mr.Premier and your so called unity government.
Please build the Refuel gas station, so that all drivers have more choices and options. And CI GOVERNMENT START DOING MORE TO PROMOTE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON OUR EXPENSIVE BUILT ROADWAYS. START BY OFFERING CAR BUYERS A CASH BACK AND BUILD MORE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS. BUY ELECTRIC BUSES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND REDUCE OR RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS. WE HAVE THE SUN, WIND LET’S START PUTTING THEM BOTH TO GOOD USE.
THANK YOU,
CHET OSWALD EBANKS.
Refuels fuel is Shet. Not worth putting in your vehicle. At least at your own risk.
my car runs better on Refuel, what’s your facts about why you think it’s shit?
He said “shet”!
why do we even have a Planning Board if everything that is proposed, is approved?
poor Cayman!
If you are so smart or intitled that you need to make decisions about things that do not concern you please try to understand that to listen to what you have to say you must first get the person or persons to whom you are talking to to value your opinion. Otherwise you are just showing your ignorance. Again.
Demolish the Ritz and there will be no problem at all. It has to be the most ugly building on the island so should never have been built anyway.
ugly it ain’t…
That honour goes to the Courthouse.
I have often wondered how that monstrosity got Planning Approval and why it is taking so long to finish..Even the Locale Hotel is now finished..It is just so out of place on Seven Mile Beach..the ugly gold plating just made it look even worse.
I wonder what warranted a grant of Cayman Status to its builder? Alden?
By any standard the gold plated palace is out of place on Seven Mile Beach.
But is a major hotel destination draw for folks that have a ” LOT of $” who don’t flinch an iota at spending ” A LOT ” of it here in Cayman’s economy, thereby injecting revenue in many areas , needless to mention , employing a LOT of Caymanians.
hmm ironic really that Mr Travers’ father was one of the main objectors to Hemingway’s when he lived next door back in the day – objecting to the noise, smell of food cooking… anyone else see the humour in this?
Av’ an ‘eart Guvnor. Alms for the poor!
Some of the comments are parochial and shortsighted. 7MB is according to our government the crown jewel of our tourism industry. Building additional gas stations on West Bay road will decrease desirability and prices of surrounding areas, negatively impact the experience of visiting tourists and will mean in the end less tourism taxes and stamp duty receipts for our government. This money can be used for our school programs, civil servants department and social services.
The question of whether these NIMBYs should be able to block a gas station on a major commercial road is separate from the question of whether a gas station in the same general area should be located somewhere else. Personally, I do think any more stations should be on the bypass, where currently there are none. But if these guys have a problem with it, then it should be right across from their building. Call me whatever you like. Caymanians rich and poor are tired of giving foreigners everything they want or denying ourselves things that we want because foreigners are opposed. This reminds me of a friend from Canada who complained about Camana Bay “ruining the island”. He changed his perspective quickly when I explained that I no longer had to fly to Miami to buy a decent outfit and had waited for that privilege for many years. I agree with another comment: this will make an eco-friendly fuel choice more convenient for residents and should be permitted.
its nice for you to be able to afford a nice outfit in camana bay
And you’re probably a Russian troll but what do I care?
If the gas station was going to be 50 stories high I am sure there would have been no problem.
you think just 1 gas station at 50 storeys? Just wait till you see it’s a plan for 2 of them…the styrofoam recluse aint messing around
This whole application is a traversty.
https://youtu.be/Fdw_Ux0erzE
Way too many gas stations on WB Road. Looks a cheap Miami strip. Gas station, fast food, gas station, more fast food. Horrid.
Oh the horrors! Competition!!
Go to the Brac if you want a real island life. But let’s be honest, you prefer the busy life of gxm
Don’t forget the cigar bar/stripper clubs!
With or without gas stations and fast food stores, the (once gorgeous) West Bay Road would still look like Miami Strip.
Same wretch!
His styrofoam chokes many marine animals every day.
Whose? Travers isn’t dart…
GTFO is right!! Piss off Waters Edge and Ritz owners!!! I live in West Bay, where we have 2 options of gas, both at much higher prices than anywhere else. I choose to fill up at Refuel b/c it’s better for my car and the environment and it’s a better fuel grade and price! When i heard they wanted another location on the bypass I was stoked- that means on a Sunday when I’m practically running on empty and the WB stations are closed, I don’t have to drive all the way to Industrial park to fill up.
Those condo owners need to get over themselves! I highly doubt they’ll be spending any time on the bypass by the new Refuel station… don’t we all wish we had their problems instead of our real life ones? ppssstttt- piss off!
And another thing- they’re seriously worried about noise from a gas station late at night? They have the Lodge and whatever else is opening and closing in the Strand Plaza, and they don’t seem to be bothered by that!
PLEASE BUILD THIS REFUEL STATION!!!
Except it’s not going to be on the bypass but on West Bay Road.
If you read the application you would see access roads are going to be built from both WB Road and the bypass
I like cats
Weirdo.
Yeah but something about this weirdo has me loling every time I read a new comment section.
Saddo.
I like cats too..cats are awesome.
Me too, tastes like chicken.
No 8:22, it’s fresh dogs that taste lol chicken.
Wow, what a bunch of whiners. They have ocean views, not beautiful balconies overlooking west bay rd.
Who is worst? the whiners or the whiner whiners? Or should I say the winners or the losers?
Imma go with, you.
I hope Refuel gets the green light, West Bay Road is not residential at all, it is all zoned Hotel Tourism these days. None of these condos are built to have year round residents, they are for tourists. The Ritz is a massive eyesore and we have to look at it, so they can look at the gas station as far as I see it. Development is progress in Cayman, so build build build. They will need more gas stations on that road as people sit in bumper to bumper traffic all day long.
really…. they’re building homes next to a dump? That can’t be right. There is not one single picture of the dump in any of their marketing literature. They’d never falsely advertise anything.
funniest comment of the day
Couple comments:
-Hybrid/All Electric cars are the real solution, not fancy gasoline
-Wouldn’t everyone be better off if the Gas Station was located off the bypass? Why are we trying to make West Bay Rd, more congested then it already is, when we have a perfectly good highway. This would offer motorists a gas station option without having to get off the bypass and would create a whole new market for the gas station owners. They wouldn’t have to compete with the other two gas stations in close proximity.
Where do you the electricity comes from?
Correct, burning diesel.
A modern gasoline car pollutes less than the electric cars here.
Now of solar or wind energy was used, that is a different story.
How do you even reckon?
Totally agree that this would make more sense on the Bypass That is where the traffic is now…Makes no sense to put more on West Bay Road. Think of leaving West Bay….if you don’t gas up at the 4 way stop in West Bay, there is no where to stop if you are on the By-pass and need gas.
It’s not about selling fuel. It’s about selling six packs to tourists on foot.
The CPA approved a gas station to my poor little residential property in Prospect so let’s see how this one pans out……I got my popcorn ready, no butter please! Progress at it best Mr. Premier!
disgusting attitude…..they give the filthy rich a bad name!
I’m all FOR Refuel’s newest location. The more gas stations that care about the environment, the better!
What about the one going in across from Strand? How many leaking reclaimed bog-ground gas stations do we really need? What is the correct number? Btw, WBR Esso should not have been approved either! Politician fingers in all of these.
So ridiculous. What about the other condos that are already across the street from the two other gas stations on WB Road?
Would you instead prefer a couple of bars like Lonestar and Deckers that both play loud music until 11pm or midnight?
Make an offer on the land if you want to maintain an empty piece of land across from your property.
The rich keep getting richer and the poor just continue to take the punishment. They have all the money in the world but wont spend one dime to make the changes they want. They expect the plebs to just deal with it and continue to get more free stuff that they dont even need.
When the new 50 storey skyscraper is built there will be a need for more gas stations along Seven Mile Beach.
Two fifty story skyscrapers
We don’t need a twin towers in Cayman
According to the minutes they “support the only waste to energy producer in Cayman, Island Biodiesel, who last year recycled over 15 tonnes of waste vegetable oil into Biodiesel to be sold at Refuel.” I have got my bumper sticker on with pride!
Supports his own business? How thoughtful of him.
hmmm- Thats why my car exaust smells like fried chicken!
Ain’t nobody in their right mind putting that shit in their car anyway. Where did all the used frying oil end up but the way?
Well I have used their fuel since the start and my car never has had any issues since! Even my filters when being replaced look better than ever now to! Cant say the same for the past gas stations I have used around Cayman with their ‘shit’ fuel that has clogged up my cars before due to the tanks in the ground being old and contaminated…. Must be an owner of one of those places to post something like this!
With lack of knowledge brings fear even stupidity at times!! You do realize that practically EVERY gas station across the great big USA are selling that same “SHIT” that you’re oh so against.
Do some research before flapping your lips off for god sake!
I have used vegatable oil in my diesel van for 4 years and never had any problems.
Their fuel refuel smells like actual high grade fuel imported from US. Not sure where Sol and Esso refine but it doesnt have that strong gas odor that says this is the stuff
I’m going to propose a 30ft ivy and flower fence surrounding both properties. Should the rich really even have to look at the lower and middle classes? The fact that they have to endure a Burger King on the same road as their investment is an insult, not to mention the darker shades of people walking the beach close by…
You had me till the last assumption. So you think people who aren’t white can’t be rich? Yikes.
“adversely affect the market values of the nearby properties, which were developed to attract and retain high net worth investors”.
The worst kind of NIMBYs with even worse arrogance and entitlement issues, who love nothing more than to Lord it over the regular folks who live here. I hope they move the dump there too.
Lol! You kick us off our beaches and now want to claim that WB Road is your residential neighbourhood?! GTFO
Money talks. The world is so stupid.
Hilarious….whomp whomp! It’s not as though gas stations don’t already exist in close proximity to $$ condos on West bay Road….and remind me, isn’t the owner of the Ritz the same entity that built a school and soon to build homes next to the dump….karma is a bee!