Royal Oak Sheetz: Planning commission to consider rezoning request along 14 Mile

Sheetz, a convenience store chain that recently expanded to Michigan, is eyeing Royal Oak for its next gas station.

A developer is requesting that a plot of land at 14 Mile and Coolidge be rezoned from industrial to business. The site at 3200 W. 14 Mile Rd. next to Clover Hill Park Cemetery is currently occupied by a former metal fabrication facility. Developers want to build a Sheetz and an El Carwash.

The plan also includes expanding an existing maintenance building at the back of the site. The cemetery would use that building for storage.

The Royal Oak Planning Commission is scheduled to hear public comment regarding the request at its Feb. 11 meeting. 

The backstory:

The Sheetz would be open 24/7, and would have a convenience store and gas pumps, along with a drive-thru and outdoor cafe. 

Planning documents include a traffic study for the intersection. According to that study conducted by Fleis & Vandenbrink, if the development is added, the intersection "would continue to operate at an acceptable level of service during peak travel times."

According to plans, a new driveway would be added that aligns with Coolidge, changing the current road configuration from a three-way intersection to a four-way intersection. The addition of a right turn lane into the gas station from 14 Mile is also part of the proposal.

However, the engineering division is concerned about the crash history at the intersection, along with the impact that changing the timing of the stoplight could have on other areas of 14 Mile.

In documents that will be reviewed by the planning commission, the engineering division recommended a peer review of the traffic study before the plans move on to the city commission. 

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Big picture view:

Though Sheetz is in Michigan, the chain has struggled to get plans approved in several cities.

Both the Livonia and Farmington Hills city councils recently voted against proposed Sheetz locations after hearing feedback from concerned residents. The company wanted to open a location at Newburgh and Eight Mile in Livonia and 12 Mile and Middlebelt in Farmington Hills.

In both cities, residents cited concerns about crime and noise and light pollution. 

Sheetz released a statement after the Livonia location was shot down, saying in part, "Our Romulus location has received overwhelming support from customers and elected officials. We have nine other Detroit-area stores that have been approved by their municipalities, and we look forward to bringing that success and sense of community to those locations soon."

Related

Livonia Sheetz plan voted down by city council

Livonia City Council voted no to building a Sheetz convenience store at Newburgh and Eight Mile.

What's next:

The Royal Oak City Commission will hear public input during its Feb. 11 meeting at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held in room 21 of the City Hall Commission Chambers.

Review the proposal here.

The Source: Information in this story was obtained from planning documents presented to the Royal Oak Planning Commission. 

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