Sheetz gas station unanimously rejected by Farmington Hills council

(Image: Sheetz)

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    The Farmington Hills City Council voted down a plan to build a Sheetz gas station at 12 Mile and Middlebelt.
    
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    For over 3 hours, residents and Sheetz supporters gave public comment on the plan.
    
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    Councilmembers suggested Sheetz build at a different location, closer to 696.
    

• 
  The Farmington Hills City Council voted down a plan to build a Sheetz gas station at 12 Mile and Middlebelt.
  
• 
  For over 3 hours, residents and Sheetz supporters gave public comment on the plan.
  
• 
  Councilmembers suggested Sheetz build at a different location, closer to 696.
  

(FOX 2) Farmington Hills, Mich.The city council unanimously rejected Sheetz’s building plan, ending a dispute over a gas station in Farmington Hills.

A turbulent couple of months for the city and the convenience shop and gas station in Pennsylvania came to an end with the unanimous vote.

After more than 90 minutes of discussion and presentations at the municipal council, the vote was delayed in front of a full council meeting.

Sheetz argues for 12 Mile and Middlebelt location

The backstory

Locals spoke forward to express their disapproval of the 24-hour petrol station near 12 Mile and Middlebelt. The idea was accepted 4-1 by the commission at its November meeting and sent to the city council for a decision.

The locals expressed worries about noise, light pollution, crime, and other issues.

During the summer, Sheetz, a network of petrol stations that are open around-the-clock, is well-known for its made-to-order cuisine and personalized drinks.

Residents and representatives of Sheetz poured in on Monday to voice their opinions in favor of or against the initiative.

They went into length on the company’s history, community service, and employment opportunities during Sheetz’s segment.

“If it’s not approved, this highly visible property would remain vacant,” Pat Lennon, an attorney for Sheetz, stated.

Sheeetz drew attention to the abandoned structure that had housed the Ginopolis restaurant.

Lennon maintained that the plan would enhance the property and the neighborhood.

“(The plan) would transform a vacant and deteriorating property into a new, state-of-the-art, Sheetz cafe and fueling station,” Lennon stated.

Farmington Hills pushes back

Local viewpoint:

Following a brief statement, locals had the opportunity to voice their opinions, suggesting that the 12 Mile and Middlebelt area isn’t the best location for the gas station.

“That square mile already has seven gas stations. One person questioned, “Do we need another one, to have nine, in that square mile?”

According to the local, it would be more appropriate at 696 and Orchard Lake Road, where highway traffic could leave and refuel rather than entering the community.

The majority of other locals concurred and recommended that the land be kept zoned for a restaurant rather than a petrol station.

Residents stood up to cast their votes for more than ninety minutes. The gas station would be better served somewhere else, according to all but one local.

According to Jeff Goodman, criminality would be discouraged by the bright lights and the fact that the Farmington Hills Police Department is less than two miles away.

In order to make changes to the plan, including illumination, Sheetz requested that the vote be postponed.

Sheetz not compatible for location

We know:

The proposal was ultimately rejected by the City Council in a unanimous vote following hours of discussion.

Randy Bruce, a city councilman, called it “out of character” for the neighborhood and asked Sheetz to look for another place in the city.

Councilman Michael Bridges concurred, stating that he took great satisfaction in preserving the areas’ unique character in Farmington Hills.

“I think your proposal is not compatible to that particular location,” Bridges replied. “That particular area is not where a Sheetz should be located at.”

According to Councilwoman Valerie Knol, the problem is a real one for the city government.

“I simply think that this project is too demanding. “It’s incompatible with the neighborhoods around it,” Knol stated. “Nothing against Sheetz, but this is not the right place.”

Residents cheered and gave a standing ovation in response to the unanimous vote.

Next steps:

The city council members all agreed that they would welcome Sheetz to a different location nearer the interstate.

Whether Sheetz could investigate or if the business would take this into consideration is still up in the air.

The Source: YouTube provided a live stream of the Farmington Hills City Council meeting.