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Neighbors and business owners split over proposed 7‑Eleven at Pines and Greenwood
Summary
Public comment at the council hearing showed a split: neighborhood residents and small business owners warned a new 7‑Eleven would oversaturate the market and threaten local businesses; other residents and property owners said the development would create jobs, raise tax revenue and improve service in the corridor.
Dozens of residents and business owners testified June 10 for and against a proposed convenience store and gas station at Pines Road and Greenwood, a zoning item that drew repeated public comment and a planning commission review.
Opponents said the site would add unnecessary competition and could put locally owned stations out of business. Sharif Darkalid, who identified himself as the owner of a gas station across the street, said Pines Road already has several stations and that a corporate chain would siphon customers away from small operators. “Pines Road within just 2 miles already hosts 7 existing gas stations,” Darkalid said. “If approved, we will… lose the majority of our business.”
Other residents urged the council to consider market saturation and low local population density in the 71119 and 71129 zip codes, and to weigh possible impacts on local mortgages and livelihoods if an independent business cannot compete.
Supporters, including nearby property owners and businesspeople, said the corner has been underused and that a new convenience store would bring jobs, sales tax and a higher assessed property value. “This would be a great business development,” said George Mills, a landowner who said developers had put significant effort into a “first‑class” project and that commercial zoning on three corners already exists.
Speakers also called on the council and the Municipal Planning Commission to ensure stipulations and design conditions that would limit negative neighborhood impacts. The council’s planning staff and the MPC recommended several changes during the review process; council members said they would consider conditions such as limiting truck access, enhancing buffering and requiring additional landscaping.
The zoning matter was among several planning cases discussed during the meeting; the council gave staff direction to carry stipulations to later proceedings and to continue to review the MPC’s recommendations.
