Residents of Piñon Hills are continuing their fight against a proposed Maverik Fueling Station planned near Highway 138 and Oasis Road, saying the project would bring major traffic congestion, pollution, and unwanted commercial expansion to their rural community.
This marks the second appeal by Piñon Hills residents seeking to stop the proposed Maverik Fueling Station, which is scheduled to be considered by the San Bernardino County Land Use Services Planning Commission during a public hearing on Tuesday, May 19.
Ann Hale, along with her husband, are longtime Piñon Hills residents who have become leading voices opposing the project. They say many residents feel the development is incompatible with the area’s residential and rural identity. The proposed project would include a 24-hour fueling station with 5,637 square feet of retail space, two canopies, and 18 fuel dispensing islands across 8.78 acres.
“We live less than a mile from the site, and we love the town of Piñon Hills,” Hale said during a recent interview. “We came out here because we want to live in a rural place.”
According to the Hales, community opposition appears widespread. Residents have organized through the Keep Piñon Hills Rural Facebook group and launched petitions opposing the project, collecting 462 signatures online through Change.org, along with hundreds more gathered on paper petitions throughout town. Traffic remains one of the biggest concerns for opponents.
Lisa Tovar, a Piñon Hills resident since 1988, spoke during public comments at the February 19 appeal hearing, saying, “We have lost many, many lives on the infamous 138, and it continues to be a very treacherous and infamous highway. Any addition to such treacherous traffic on said highway should be well thought-out and planned and, if possible, avoided. The traffic should be diverted to a safer venue.”
Resident William Hale also addressed the commission during the February hearing, stating that the current project design will route vehicles through Oasis Road, which leads directly to the Piñon Hills Post Office. He provided a presentation showing that truck traffic exiting at Buckthorn and Oasis could interfere with postal traffic and create dangerous crossing patterns for vehicles.
Commissioner Johnathan Weldy, who sits on the San Bernardino County Planning Commission, explained during the appeal hearing that land along Highway 138 is zoned for commercial use and is expected to be used accordingly.
“The design flaws, or not, and how their traffic flows, isn’t a reason to deny a project for land use,” Weldy said. “But this is really not a design criteria as much as it is, ‘Is this a conforming land use? Are they allowed to do what they want to do on this land?”
Weldy added, “If it was zoned commercial on the side of my house, I would vote for it because it’s a land use that’s entitled. It goes with the property; it has value.”
Beyond traffic, opponents say air quality and noise are major concerns. Ann Hale said diesel trucks idling at the site around the clock could affect nearby homes, the Piñon Hills Senior Center and Community Center, which includes outdoor playgrounds and basketball courts.
During the February hearing, the commission approved the project in a 3-0 vote, with the added condition that Maverik would post signs prohibiting truck idling beyond a designated time limit.
“We will be willing to post signs, both at the pumps so they can see it, ‘Turn off trucks,’ ‘No idling,’ and a sign at the entrance so that when they pull in, there will be a sign that says ‘No idling,’” said Kevin Deis, a representative for Maverik, during the hearing.
Another concern is light pollution. Piñon Hills residents say they value the area’s dark skies and rural nighttime atmosphere, and that a 24-hour operation requiring security lighting would permanently alter that environment.
Residents also question whether the project would bring meaningful benefits to the community, noting that Piñon Hills already has existing fuel stations and convenience stores.
“There is nothing at the Maverik that we really need,” Hale said. “It’s not going to help people in the community.” She added that while supporters cite tax revenue, many residents doubt they would see direct local improvements.
A second public hearing appeal on the project is scheduled for May 19 at 10 a.m. at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino. The Keep Piñon Hills Rural Group hopes a large turnout of residents will attend, calling it the community’s final chance to appeal the project.
