Resident supports SR 104 fueling center, urges traffic, stormwater and safety protections

Corey Wasmus, a resident of 12930 Gibson Road, told the council he supports a proposed rezoning and conditional-use request for a fueling center, convenience store, car wash and electric vehicle charging at the State Route 104 corner identified in the agenda as 762104, but urged the village to require safeguards on traffic, stormwater, public safety and design.

Why it matters: The project would add amenities for residents and travelers but, as Wasmus and others noted during the public-comment period, it sits on a major thoroughfare where higher traffic volumes and truck traffic could require mitigation, and facilities handling fuel and vehicle washing raise stormwater and emergency-response concerns.

Wasmus said, "I support this project, bringing this type of investment to our community," and added a list of specific concerns the council should address before approving any permit or zoning change. He named traffic as his first concern, citing State Route 104 and the nearby 762 corridor and saying a traffic study and mitigation measures will be “critical” and should be paid for by the developer rather than taxpayers. He also urged the township to require stormwater and runoff protections because of fuel pumps and car-wash runoff and to consult the township fire department to ensure responders have the equipment and resources to handle emergencies at a site that stores and dispenses fuel.

Wasmus asked the village to hold the developer to higher design and landscaping standards so the property serves as a positive gateway into the community and said the village should consider hours of operation and noise limits so nearby residents are not harmed. He said he uses nearby businesses and supports having a closer option for fuel and convenience, but he urged the council to address the items above now to avoid problems later.

Procedure and outcome: The remarks occurred during the meeting’s public-comment period; the council did not take action on the rezoning or conditional-use request during this session. The only formal action recorded in the transcript was a motion to adjourn, made by a council member identified only as Eric, seconded by a council member identified only as Dustin, after which the meeting was closed by voice vote.

Context: Another attendee, Elizabeth Fleming, indicated she had no comment when called. No staff presentation, traffic study results, engineering plans, stormwater reports or formal responses from village planning or fire officials appear in the transcript. The transcript records the public-comment exchange and the meeting’s adjournment; it does not record any vote or formal decision on the rezoning or conditional-use item.