Newberry Springs at a Crossroads: The True Cost of a Truck Stop.

    The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce appears to be making a grave miscalculation, prioritizing short-term financial gains over the long-term well-being of our community.

    The Chamber's recent support for the expansion of the Shell station on National Trails at Interstate 40, into a full-scale industrial truck stop, is a clear example of a sellout.

    In a pattern that mirrors their past endorsement of the Cadiz water project, the Chamber seems willing to sell out the very character, health, and future infrastructure along Route 66 for a few quick contributions.

    Chamber president, Renee Kaminski, reportedly secured commitments from the developer on three cheap, short-term points: joining the Chamber, contributing to the Pistachio Festival, and donating to the Chamber itself.

    This is a transactional approach that overlooks the severe, lasting damage that such a development could inflict on Newberry Springs.

    This isn't just about a gas station; it's about industrializing the principal entrance to Newberry Springs that will discourage commercial infrastructure from settling on Route 66, and discouraging the improvement of the quality of life in our desert community.

The Unavoidable Negative Impacts of an Industrial Truck Stop

    A large project of this scale, with approximately 70 semi-trailer parking spaces planned, will introduce a host of negative consequences that far outweigh the supposed benefits of a few financial donations to the Chamber.

Environmental Degradation

    Industrial truck stops are inherently noisy and polluting. The constant roar of 24-hour engine operations, the high-pitched squeal of hydraulic braking, and the pervasive smell of diesel exhaust fumes will become the new normal.

    This will not only create a constant nuisance but also degrade the air quality and the peaceful, rural atmosphere that so many people value. An industrial-scale truck stop will not be a good first impression for visitors who might consider settling in Newberry.

Strain on Local Infrastructure

    A large truck stop will inevitably lead to increased traffic congestion, particularly at the main entrance to our community from Interstate-40. The sheer volume of large trucks will clog the immediate Interstate-40 exit area, making the area unattractive for other businesses to locate.

    This will discourage the development of other, more desirable infrastructure that the community truly needs.

This layout shows the proposed plan. It is the same proposal as I blogged about on June 6, 2024. More details about the project can be found on that link. Click on the above illustration to enlarge.

Parking and Safety Issues

    As is common with many truck stops, not all trucks will park within the designated parking stalls. We can expect to see large trucks parked on the nearby streets and vacant lots, often with their engines idling for hours to power heating or air conditioning.

    Street parking is easier, especially after dark, than backing into a narrow stall. This further disrupts and degrades the aesthetic and peaceful nature of our community.

Compromised Community Character

    The developer's other truck stop at Fort Cady is an example of an eyesore, and there is no reason to believe that this new project will be any different.

    The Ft. Cady Mobile station usually has about 1/4 to 1/3 of all the weekly reported crime in Newberry Springs (Sheriff's Department/SpotCrime). Industrial truck stops are also a magnet for drug sales and prostitution.

    An industrial-scale truck stop does not align with the quiet, scenic character of Newberry Springs. Instead, it signals a shift towards a more industrial, transient-heavy environment that could dissuade families from settling here.

Misleading the Public

    Kelley's Market is reported to be currently circulating a petition, targeting motorists who are passing through.

    People are reportedly being asked to sign a petition without being shown the petition's attachments that detail the true scope of the project.

    This lack of transparency reveals a clear intent to mislead the public on the scope of the project and to gain support to present to the Planning Commission under false pretenses.

    This truck stop is not a community-focused project; it is solely a commercial venture that will line the pockets of a few at the expense of our town's long-term health and well-being. The Chamber's support for this project is a betrayal of the community that the Chamber is meant to serve.

    Personally, I don't trust this developer who doesn't keep his word. We had a promise to pay for a bus to an Orange County courthouse to transport those opposing the placement in Newberry Springs of Lawtis Donald Rhoden, SVP (Sexually Violent Predator). That financial promise wasn't kept.

    Do you think a handful of minor donations to the Chamber is worth the Chamber sacrificing the peace and integrity of Newberry Springs?