North Ridgeville council approves Circle K at Lorraine Road over resident objections, 5-2

North Ridgeville City Council on May 19 approved a Planning Commission recommendation to permit a new Circle K gas station and retail store at 34273 Lorraine Road, passing the motion 5-2 after more than an hour of public comment and council discussion.

The approval followed a May 13 Planning Commission vote of 5-0 in favor of the project. Councilman Abens moved to approve the Planning Commission action; Councilman Winkle seconded the motion. Clerk roll call recorded votes in favor from Abens, Winkle, Awig, De Vries and Jacobs; Councilmembers Swank and Schaefer voted no.

Residents who live near the proposed site urged council to reject or delay the project, citing traffic, safety, stormwater runoff and potential groundwater contamination. Barb Ackerman, of 8578 Root Road, said she opposed a gas station at the corner and warned of increased traffic and spill risks, saying, “A gas station on the corner is a horrible idea.” Kitty Salyer, 8605 Root Road, said the proposal contradicts the corridor plan and expressed concern about litter, crime and property values. James Bridal, who identified himself with Faith Baptist Temple, cited safety for elderly church members and water runoff that he says has worsened since nearby housing was built.

City staff and several council members responded that Circle K’s application met zoning and code requirements. At the meeting the administration noted the property is zoned B3 Highway Commercial District and that Circle K had made concessions requested by the city, including dedication of frontage to allow future roadway widening and plans to realign access drives. The city’s attorney and the assistant law director said there was no legal basis to deny an application that meets code.

The council and staff described mitigation that Circle K agreed to provide: additional lanes and access reconfiguration if a traffic circle is installed, realigned access drives, detention basins for stormwater control and controls on truck routing. Planning documents and the clerk’s reading list the applicant as Circle K, applicant Brett Lamb, and owner AGLR Investments, LLC (permanent parcel 741000612). A city official said the company had agreed to “sacrifice some of their roadside frontage at no site expense to the city in order to have a dedicated turning lane in and out of their site and to accommodate a proposed traffic circle.”

Council members who voted against the project said their “no” votes reflected neighborhood concerns rather than code technicalities. One opponent said there are already two gas stations nearby and questioned whether the city should allow another. Supporters said the project complied with the city’s zoning and engineering requirements and warned that denying a lawful application could invite legal challenge and the loss of negotiated concessions.

The council also clarified alcohol sales: planning staff said the Ohio Liquor Code allows retail, off-premises alcohol sales within 500 feet of a church, so the presence of Faith Baptist Temple did not provide a legal basis for denial. Engineering staff said they would continue to review stormwater and access details as plan sheets are finalized.

The approved motion directs no additional council action at this meeting; the project will proceed through the permitting and engineering review processes required by the city and state.

Notable details: Planning Commission approval 5-0 (May 13); council approval 5-2 (May 19). Applicant and owner information were read into the record by the clerk.