Truck Stop Trouble
Folks get up in arms when they think the safety of their neighborhood will be threatened by a new neighbor. In Lufkin it is TRUCK STOP TROUBLE that has the residents questioning whether the politicians are greasing the skids.
“We love to fight city hall, but it’s getting harder and harder for regular folks to get their local government to hear them. I guess it’s time to get back to Lufkin.
“We are here because we are profoundly concerned about the recent proposed whatever you want to call it.”
It’s a different kind of whack a mole going on in Lufkin.
“We’re playing a semantics game… it’s a truck stop. Oh, no. No, it’s now a mini truck stop. Oh, no, it’s just an automotive fueling station what is it?))
A Richmond, Texas company, Thind Ltd., wants to build a new On The Road gas station here on highway 59 in Lufkin, just over the hill, as you’re driving into the city’s south side.
At an April meeting of the planning and zoning commission, neighbors said no way.
Protests about ai centers aren’t the only fight being waged in Angelina County these days.
“I’m afraid that unplanned development will degrade the image of this city.”
There were warnings about the dangers.
“Introducing constant traffic into this environment is not only irresponsible, but it’s dangerous.”
“All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Two ayes, one opposed, the motion passes 2-1.”
“The planning commission ignored the warnings. The vote 2-1. Three of the commissioners didn’t even bother to show up for the vote.”
The chairman Nathan Gann says he just forgot to vote.
“They had to know folks were mad and they soon learned the taxpayers were right.”
“We’re learning more about a deadly crash south of Lufkin this morning.”
This was the scene just weeks after that vote. Memorial Day. Two women died in this crash right where that truck stop is supposed to go.
“If you want to pick a fight, then let’s go for it.”
This city hall meeting about the RaceTrac truck stop was packed with nearly three hundred folks.
RaceTrac had started clearing the land at the corner of 59 and College Drive within the master planned community of Crown Colony.
Residents in the homeowners’ association said no way.
“How was this project able to just ignore it?”
“So, there’s restrictions on this property?”
“Yes, sir. Yes.”
What Cooper apparently didn’t know was that the property owners had actually gone to the Angelina County courthouse two years earlier and got the deed restriction changed.
The landowners certainly have stroke. 2007 Blue Hole Partners is owned by Treybrig LC.
George “Trey” Henderson, a state official appointed by the governor to the Texas Economic Development Corporation.
He was the Chairman of the A&M 12th Man Foundation.
The neighborhood sued. It went all the way to the Texas Supreme Court… the residents won. RaceTrac it has stopped the construction… at least for now but is trying to get the supreme court to change the mind.
The On The Road project went to court too, with the City of Lufkin accused of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act.
“At first they illegally approved it as a truck stop, it’s in a PUD, and then they went back and modified it to try to get under the law, but it’s still not correct.”
A PUD is a planned unit development, kind of like an HOA.
The neighborhood called “The Settlement” was established by a Lufkin city ordinance in 2001.
The city approved On The Road to build anyway.
A 9,000 square foot convenience store. 32 gas pumps, 6 diesel pumps, and 38 spaces for truck parking.
The PUD ordinance’s does not allow a truck stop.
Again, there’s a connection to Trey Henderson, through a company called STCO-GP. They are listed as the owner of Devers Timber Co, who sold the land. Henderson is listed as a manager.
Commissioners were assured by the builder’s representative that it met all the requirements. That guy is surveyor Mike Parker.
“It’s embarrassing that he got up there and lied to the city council, or actually the P&Z at that point.”
Parker says it wasn’t a lie.
“The city has requirement that allowed what was presented to the council and they approved it. It’s not what I said… it’s what the city says.”
Mike Parker is a respected engineer surveyor, owned a business here for like 40 years.”
That business is called Everett Griffith Jr. and Associates, and you should know the mayor, a real estate developer, does business with Parker.
“You say you know Mike Parker really well.”
“I do.”
“Does he do surveying for your company?”
“He does. He’s basically the only guy in Lufkin that does surveying.”
There are surveying companies around Lufkin that might take exception to the mayor… including GLS Architecture and Engineering, Boundary Masters, and East Texas Land Surveying.
“I think you’re drawing a conclusion there that isn’t accurate. I mean I’m the mayor. I’m familiar with a lot of people in Lufkin.”
“Then why doesn’t he know there are a lot of surveyors? Folks look at the relationship and say wait a minute is that why this got approved.”
We followed up with an on-camera interview with the Mayor in Lufkin.
“I bet every member of that council has used Mike Parker or at least half of them have.”
“I’d like to start by asking Mike Parker to say the prayer.”
We’ve seen Mike Parker at city council before. He regularly does the prayer at city meetings.
“Heavenly Father we ask particularly that you be with this planning and zoning commission, that they seek that wisdom and knowledge.”
This was Mike’s prayer minutes before he pitched the revised on the road plan in April when so many people lined up in opposition.
“We pray in Christ’s name, amen.”
“I’m Mike parker on behalf of the developer on this property. And as stated, we are revising what was originally approved. It is now no longer a truck stop. It’s just a simple convenience store.”
“This is not a simple convenience store. This is a high-intensity operation with idling engines, bright lights, and constant activity that’s being placed right next to my home.”
“We’re very disappointed. We did not know this was coming when we bought the property.”
The Pollacks bought this wooded, 5-acre site 4 years ago for their multi-generational family, their elderly parents and their kids.
Now they’re worried about the danger of the unwanted neighbors.
“Sadly, truck stops are known for drugs, trafficking. What other things? I have children who are still underage. What am I looking at here?”
What you’re looking at is the potential for a lot of police activity of all kinds.
Lufkin already has 4 On The Roads, more than any other city.
Since May 1, 2021, Lufkin police and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department have responded to 226 calls for service at the 2 locations on E. Denman.
128 on S. Chestnut.
But by far the most police activity at any one location was at 4110 First Street, which is also I-59.
320 calls for service between the city police and the sheriff’s department.
Traffic and accident issues mostly, but theft… disorderly conduct… drug possession and assault are reported there too.
The planned new location at 4903 First Street is less than a mile away… and On The Road plans to operate both 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“There’s no need for it.”
Lufkin is a town of just under 35,000 people.
And as it’s reported in 2025, its crime rate is way above average.
The website Crimegrade gives it a “D” in violent crime and property crime, saying it’s safer than just 23 percent of cities in the US.
Neighborhood Scout rates it safer than only 9 percent. Not a chamber of commerce moment.
This is the On The Road location less than a mile from the Pollacks.
It is a truck stop… and unfortunately it looks like one too.
RaceTrac got permits without going before city council.
“Why aren’t you as mayor trying to find a way to stop it?”
“Well, I’m a pro economic development guy. I think it’s good.”
“I think everybody in the city has benefited from any kind of economic development activity here in, in Lufkin. I wouldn’t say that I’ve been specifically, I’ve specifically benefited from anything the city’s done. No, not at all.”
The lawsuit against the city was dropped because eventually there was a proper notice for an On The Road public hearing.
A lot of good that did though. The city contends the truck stop fits there because nowhere does it say it doesn’t fit.
Now On The Toad wants the city to let them clear even more land. Another public hearing is set for July 13th.
We will be there as the residents continue to argue these truck stops as violates of Lufkin’s promise to voters eight years ago.
“In no way it is compliant with the comprehensive plan for the city of Lufkin.”
“You don’t do this to your city; you don’t open everything with open arms that comes into the city. You have regulations and you welcome everybody, but you tell them they need to be a good citizen and a good neighbor.”
“If we start denying people the right to build on properties that they have a right to build on, we’ll have all sorts of lawsuits.”
“My question to them was, do you want this next door to you?”
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