BZA backs gas station plan on US‑41 corridor, grants most variances after petitioner withdraws some landscaping requests

The Saint John Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-0 on Sept. 3 to recommend that Town Council allow construction of a gas station with a drive‑thru in the US 41 Overlay District at a site south of Speedway and adjacent to Bingo Lake, and then granted favorable approval for most of the petitioner’s requested development-standard variances after the petitioner withdrew several landscaping-related variances.

James Huss of DVG, speaking for applicant Shamir Manhani, told the board the parcel is about 3.5 acres with only roughly 1.75 acres usable because a pipeline easement and requirements for stormwater detention reduce developable area. "This parcel is challenging, and this BZA hearing tonight is just one of many due diligence items to determine the feasibility from a property," Huss said.

The petitioner asked for roughly two dozen variances tied to the US 41 Overlay District. Those included a use…