Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmington Hills council denies Sheetz PUD after large public turnout
Summary
After hours of public comment, Farmington Hills City Council voted to deny a proposed planned unit development (PUD) for a 24-hour Sheetz convenience store, restaurant and 12‑position fuel station at 12 Mile and Middlebelt, saying the use and intensity are incompatible with surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Farmington Hills City Council denied a planned unit development proposal from Sheetz for a 6,139-square-foot convenience store and carryout restaurant with a 12‑position fueling canopy at the northwest corner of 12 Mile and Middlebelt Road, saying the project’s 24‑hour operation, lighting and vehicle activity were not compatible with nearby single‑family and low‑density residential areas.
The council’s decision came after more than three hours of public testimony and a lengthy staff and applicant presentation. Pat Lennon, attorney for the applicant, and Alex Sawicki, Sheetz development representative, described the proposal as a modern, full‑service convenience and made‑to‑order restaurant with about 30–35 local jobs and an estimated $8.5 million construction investment. The city planning staff and the Planning Commission previously recommended approval with conditions.
Opponents filled the council chamber to oppose the PUD, citing traffic safety at the busy 12‑Mile/Middlebelt intersection, potential nighttime noise and lighting, the presence of existing gas stations in the corridor and concerns about how a 24‑hour operation could attract criminal activity. Dozens of residents — including homeowners associations from multiple nearby subdivisions — said the intersection and nearby streets were already congested during peak hours and argued the site is better suited to uses that generate less nighttime activity.
Sheetz representatives said the company would increase building setbacks, add landscaping, reduce impervious area compared with the site’s existing layout and incorporate security and lighting controls. Staff said the applicant had submitted a traffic impact study and that engineers had requested certain design adjustments; the applicant told council it was seeking a postponement to return with additional refinements but remained open to either postponement or a vote.
Councilmembers noted that while Sheetz is a recognized operator elsewhere, the proposed combination of a 24‑hour restaurant, fuel canopy and drive‑through was too intense for that corner. Several members also cited the city’s recent efforts to restrict station proliferation and the difficulty of redeveloping former fuel sites if businesses later close. Dr. Randy Bruce moved to deny the application; the motion passed without opposition.
The council vote formally denied the PUD; the applicant may elect to pursue other sites or return with a materially different proposal consistent with the city’s zoning and design expectations.
