NEW KENT — A proposal to build a Wawa gas station and store in New Kent has cleared an important hurdle after the county Board of Supervisors waived a restriction on signage size.

The supervisors voted unanimously on Oct. 14 to allow an exemption to the county’s sign rules for the store proposed at the intersection of Stage Road and Route 33 in Lanexa.

Principal Planner Patrick Silva detailed a request for an exemption submitted by Alex Wells on behalf of C Store Developer for an exception to sign design requirements in the Commercial Corridor Overlay District.

The restrictions state that signs outside a shopping center or office complex in the district must be no more than 50 square feet in area and 8 feet high. Wawa wants to install a 25-foot-high freestanding sign of 84.5 square feet.

Silva said planning staff believe a slightly taller sign would be appropriate because it would make the gas station more visible to drivers on Route 33, giving them more time to safely pull into the Wawa.

The Planning Commission previously recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the exemption.

Wawa has expanded its footprint in rural Virginia in recent years. A gas station and store is currently under construction in the Central Garage area of neighboring King William County.

David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com

 

 

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/10/20/wawa-gets-ok-to-put-up-25-foot-high-sign-in-new-kent/