Gary City residents urge council to deny Sixers special-use permit for Broadway site

Residents and neighbors urged Gary City elected officials at a committee meeting to deny a special-use permit for a proposed Sixers gas station on Broadway, citing fire and explosion risks, potential groundwater contamination, and local crime and nuisance impacts.

The matters drew public comment and a brief staff exchange. Attorney Melina confirmed to the committee that the applicant is seeking a special-use permit rather than a rezoning. Committee staff later said most of the ordinances discussed, except two items noted by staff, will be placed on the common council agenda for March 4.

Sandra Wilson, who said she has lived on Georgia Street for 36 years, told the committee the petitioner already owns multiple gas stations in the area and that additional stations are unnecessary in neighborhoods along Broadway between 30th and 52nd streets. "The risk of living too close to a gas station includes fire, explosions, toxic fumes, and groundwater contamination," Wilson said. She added that fire and explosions were the "most obvious concerns."

Carolyn McCrady, another resident, said she visited other Sixers locations and disputed the applicant’s claim that its properties are well kept. "They look terrible," McCrady said, adding she photographed locations and shared the images with a city staffer. McCrady asked the council to inspect the operator’s other properties before approving any permit and questioned an apparent clerical reference in meeting materials to an unrelated bakery expansion.

A representative identified as Mr. Thurston answered committee questions about whether the petitioner in this case is the same owner of a separate petition; the committee was told the two are not related. Attorney Melina told the panel the property’s current zoning allows the use with a special-use permit; the governing body must approve that permit for the gas and convenience store to operate.

Speakers also urged that convenience-store floor plans include public restrooms and asked how much shelf space would be dedicated to alcohol and tobacco. McCrady said the petitioner provided a floor plan and recommended that such plans be required as a standard for future applications.

Committee staff asked those present to attend the March 4 common council meeting if they wanted the items considered; staff said two ordinances (CPO 2025-55 and CPO 2025-07) would not be heard because the applicants were not present or at the request of a council member, while the remaining ordinances discussed would appear on the March 4 agenda.

No formal vote or final decision on the special-use permit was taken at the committee meeting; the matter remains pending before the common council.

Less critical details: speakers raised concerns about noise, fights, drugs and other criminal activity around convenience stores, and residents requested clearer information about the operator’s other sites and how the city will enforce conditions attached to any permit.