Hello residents, (please share wherever possible)
The Merchant Strategy team will be holding a public meeting regarding the proposed 7-Eleven gas station and additional commercial buildings on the SE corner of Northlake Blvd and Seminole Pratt Whitney Blvd. It will be held at the Acreage Branch Library on July 17th, 2025 at 6 PM. The address is 15800 Orange Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. (behind the Publix Plaza).
“Representatives will be available to provide project details, answer questions, and listen to feedback from the community. Your participation is important to help guide the development of this project.”
As some of you are already aware, the ALA has set up a petition to attempt to ward off any additional gas stations to be built within our boundaries. The Acreage/Lox currently has 13 fuel stations either in service or approved for construction, surrounding our community. We do not need any additional threats to our water, whether it be preserves or drinking water. Although some of the concerns have already been addressed, such as the removal of the car wash, hours of operation from 24/7 to closing at 11 PM, and fewer pumps, the current plans do not follow the Acreage Neighborhood Plan. It has been stressed on several occasions, the threats that fuel stations bring if this is to be completed.
Major concerns to consider
- Fuel spills whether from over-filling of vehicle and/or portable gas cans, fuel tank leaks (tanks would be monitored as per law) – runoff into the County’s water catchment area next to this location and/or seepage into the ground during rains.
- Walk-in store versus a Walk-Up window (The Publix gas station is a Walk-Up window) – Loitering, crime, unwanted gatherings
- The current plans include a left turn into the plaza from the inside westbound Northlake turning lane to SPW. It is important to note the “hot right turn” at Coconut and Northlake, where northbound traffic from Coconut merges onto Northlake in a continuous flow, often at high speeds. The intersection under consideration may have one or possibly two similar “hot right turns” onto eastbound Northlake. Vehicles attempting to turn left into the plaza from Northlake may be obstructed by traffic within the parking lot entrance or exit, resulting in vehicles becoming trapped within the flow of these “hot right turns” from SPW. Additionally, eastbound drivers exiting the hot right turn may not have sufficient distance to reduce speed and avoid potential collisions.Another concern involves large vehicles, such as fuel tankers, making the same left turn from Northlake and being unable to proceed immediately if blocked, thereby increasing safety risks. Furthermore, there is a risk associated with impatient drivers in the inner westbound turning lanes who may attempt to quickly change lanes to make a traffic signal. If a vehicle is waiting to turn into the plaza and cannot proceed due to ongoing eastbound traffic from SPW, it is at increased risk of being rear-ended by a driver switching lanes at speed. These issues should be thoroughly evaluated during the planning process to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow.
These are some of the considerations that should be communicated to the planners and County Commissioners when this is presented to them on 07/25/2025. Attendance at both this meeting and the County BCC meeting is highly encouraged. You can view the upcoming meeting dates by clicking EVENTS at the top of this page.
