Neighbors Nervous as New Truck Stop Planned
Loretta Baumgarten (center) owns the Schulenburg RV Park, which she operates with the help of her daughter and son, Holly Hutchins and Jeremy Baumgarten. In the photo, the three are standing on the RV park’s property line. Baumgarten said the developer of The Texan convenience store and truck stop plans to build a 70 spot 18-wheeler parking lot just on the other side of the ditch from where they are standing in the photo. She fears losing customers due to noise and lights. She also raised concerns about water runoff from the property. Photo by Andy Behlen
The Texan, an up-and-coming chain of destination convenience stores, plans to build a big new store in Schulenburg at the corner of US 77 and Interstate 10.
The Yorktown-based chain began spreading from its hometown in 2014 and now operates stores in Cuero, Goliad, Victoria and most recently Monahans. The company advertises its a family-friendly atmosphere, customer service, extensive made-to-order food menu and clean restrooms.
The store in Schulenburg would occupy the large empty lot at the southwest corner of the interstate and 77 where several businesses formerly stood including Frank’s Restaurant, H.A. Fietsam Texaco and Balzer Feed Mill.
Around 2017, Columbus developer Stuart Hastedt began purchasing the properties, leveled the buildings and consolidated the lots. Deed records show that Hastedt sold the property in April of this year to The Texan Store Properties LLC.
The Texan recently placed a food trailer on the lot and posted a “now hiring” sign.
The Record called the company’s headquarters on Tuesday and left a message. No one from The Texan has called back in time for this publication.
Schulenburg City Administrator Tami Walker said the company has only filed paperwork for one permit so far – a permit to place the food trailer on the lot. She said City staff met with company officials earlier this summer to learn about their plans, which includes fuel pumps for both passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers.
One neighboring business owner, Loretta Baumgarten of Schulenburg RV Park, sent a letter to the City raising concerns about how the new store might affect her property. Baumgarten said the noise and nighttime lights from 18-wheelers would disturb her guests, many of whom are retired and stay for months at a time at the RV park. Baumgarten said she worries about trespassers using the RV park’s bath house and laundry room. Baumgarten said she spoke with the developer of The Texan, Brian Dlugosch, who told her the company plans to put an 70-spot 18-wheeler parking lot just across the property line on the north side of the RV park. Baumgarten said some of her long-term guests have already said they would leave if the truck parking gets built too close to the park.
Moreover, she worries about drainage after the developers cover a large portion of their lot with concrete and asphalt.
The 49-unit RV park sits just south of The Texan property. The Baumgarten family built the park in 1986. Baumgarten’s son and daughter, Jeremy Baumgarten and Holly Hutchins, help run the place today. Jeremy said water runoff from The Texan property already drains along the west side of the RV park before running into the park’s small pond. Runoff from the pond drains into the ditch between Fayette Savings Bank and Family Dollar before running under US 77 and towards the Schulenburg Sports Complex.
“If they put concrete and pavement over those ten acres, that’s going to be a lot of water running onto our property,” he said.
Walker said Hastedt performed a preliminary drainage study when he owned the property. She said Hastedt’s study indicated there would be some drainage challenges with developing the property.
“We’re not against the truck stop, we’re just don’t want the truck stop making our business more difficult,” Jeremy added.
He hopes to convince the developer to put the 18-wheeler parking lot on the other side of the property. He also wants the developer to install a tall, secure fence with shrubbery or some other way to block noise and light.
Moreover, he said the developer needs to ensure that water running off The Texan property does not cause flood in the RV park.
Jeremy lives in the neighborhood along Agnes Street to the west of The Texan property. He said few of his neighbors are aware of the developer’s plans.
“How’s it going to sound with horns and rigs pulling in and out all night?” he asked. “What about security for our kids who play outside? I don’t think I’m going to let my kids play alone outside once they build it.”
“I think they have legitimate concerns,” Walker told the Record on Tuesday.
So far, The Texan has not requested any city services.
“I think they are in the early planning stages right now,” Walker said on Tuesday.