Planning Commission approves site plan for convenience store and gas pumps at 3880 Wilder Road

The Bay City Planning Commission approved site plan SPR25-01 to redevelop the former Rite Aid property at 3880 Wilder Road (corner of Wilder Road and Henry Street) into a convenience store with fuel service, including five fueling positions and associated site modifications.

Alejandro Fernandez, a professional engineer with Stonefield Engineering, presented the proposal and said the plan “seeks to maintain most of the existing features on-site and reuse the building.” Fernandez said the project would demo about 30 feet of the building fronting Wilder Road to create ADA parking and accommodate five fuel pump positions, retain existing curb cuts, update lighting to LED down-lit fixtures to meet dark-sky requirements, add roughly 12 trees and about 200 shrubs for screening, and reutilize much of the site’s landscaping.

Terry, planning staff, summarized the staff review and cited applicable standards in the zoning code, including exterior lighting, canopy lighting, parking and landscaping provisions. Terry said county and city engineers reviewed access and raised no objections; the county engineer’s review was noted in the packet. Terry said canopy lighting must meet Section 1-22-60 and that final site-plan approvals and sign permits will be handled before building permits are issued.

Commission discussion touched on the site’s history as a gas station, adjacent existing stations and traffic. Commissioner comments noted the corner’s prior difficulties with service stations but also praised the engineering work; Fernandez said he and the applicant believe the location can support the use. The applicant did not yet have a fuel supplier and said they are still seeking a branded supplier.

A motion to approve the site plan passed by voice vote. The motion’s findings, entered into the record, concluded the plan complies with applicable zoning use and dimensional regulations; that driveway locations and vehicular circulation are safe; pedestrian and bicycle access are provided along frontage sidewalks; landscaping and screening meet the code; and trash and sign permitting requirements will be addressed in follow-up reviews.

The approval is final by the commission (no further City Commission approval required for this site-plan action), though the file must meet department review comments (stormwater, final details) and sign permits must be obtained under chapter 85 of the City Code before construction permits can be issued.