Proposed Sheetz Livonia location gets pushback from residents
LIVONIA, Mich. (FOX 2) - Plans for a new Sheetz location in Livonia has sparked controversy with residents in the area.
"The very gas pumps that they propose to put are literally going to be 50 - 60 yards away from the front of my driveway," said resident David Hall.
A proposed 24-hour Sheetz gas station and restaurant would replace an old Rite Aid space at Eight Mile and Newburgh in Livonia.
Big picture view:
His list goes on.
"This place is going to be lit up and this is what I’m going to have to deal with for who knows how long - the rest of my life, apparently," he said.
Many Livonia residents say a Sheetz would mean trouble during the overnight and early morning hours - especially because they say some sites sell beer, liquor and wine.
"We’ve got overnight crime that we’re going to deal with here," Hall said. "Police, they’re going to have to patrol this a lot more than usually they do."
Livonia watched as residents in Farmington Hills lobbied their own City Council to shoot down the proposed Sheetz build at 12 Mile and Middle Belt where the closed Ginopolis restaurant sits.
"We definitely don’t need something like a truck stop right in the middle of our residential neighborhood," said one meeting attendee. "
There’s too much traffic there already. We already have enough gas stations," said another resident.
They prevailed - with Farmington Hills Council members rejecting the proposal in a unanimous Monday night vote.
But in Livonia, they say this location is more complicated - with historical attractions nearby and a golf course next door. In short, they say it just won’t fit.
"This is a quiet neighborhood," said Greg Ralko. "This is a residential area. What they’re proposing really belongs on the highway - a service drive."
The other side:
Sheetz released a statement to FOX 2 from its corporate office saying in part:
"As a family owned and operated company, Sheetz strives to be the best neighbor we can be in every community we serve. As part of that commitment, we want to ensure that our stores are reflective of each neighborhood.
"That is why we continue to have dialogue with local officials and community members so that we are addressing any project issues as this process in Livonia continues.
"Additionally, the safety and security of our employees and customers - both inside and outside our stores - is our highest priority. We have a first-class security operations center that is staffed 24/7. We also have multiple security cameras and safeguards at our stores which allow our employees to notify police as soon as an emergency develops."
Either way many in Livonia say:
"We just don’t need it here," said Ralko.
The Livonia City Council will vote on the issue on Jan. 27.
Sheetz did add that its first Michigan location in Romulus by Metro Airport has been embraced warmly with no problems.
The Source: Information for this story was gathered from Sheetz corporate and the cities of Livonia and Farmington Hills.
