The Holland City Planning Commission approved amended operating hours for the Marathon-branded convenience store at 61 East 20 Fourth Street, allowing the business to open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The commission’s vote followed public comment from neighborhood residents and a presentation by the store operator and a company representative.

Commissioners and neighbors said the change responds to community convenience needs while attempting to balance concerns about late-night activity in a residential area. The application originally requested 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays; commissioners amended that request to cap late-night hours at 10 p.m.

The applicant’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Marathon dealer, said the dealer “has made significant improvements to the location” and would “uphold all the Marathon brand standards.” Harmanjot Singh, who identified himself as the station’s manager and resident at 3810 Campus Avenue, said the new owners had invested in interior and exterior renovations and were not aware of the prior restricted hours when they took over the business.

Residents who live within a few blocks of the station said the improved store has made the neighborhood safer and more convenient. Angela Rabe, who said she lives about two blocks away, told the commission the property was “a heck of a lot better” since the new owners’ repairs and that restricting Sunday hours worsened a local food-access problem for people without cars. Christopher Bleistra, who lives “kitty corner” from the station, said he no longer worries about safety when sending family members into the store. Several speakers said they had signed a petition asking that the station be allowed to open on Sundays.

Singh provided estimates of the store’s activity, saying fuel sales when the store operated extended hours were roughly 700–1,000 gallons per day and are now about 500–600 gallons per day; he estimated inside store receipts at about $2,000–$2,500 on busier periods and described higher totals when the store previously opened seven days a week. Singh and the applicant’s representative told the commission the parking on site is sufficient for short convenience-store visits and that they did not expect extended hours to increase off-street parking burdens.

During deliberations commissioners said they supported more morning and Sunday access but had reservations about late-night lighting and potential disturbance in the surrounding residential zones. One commissioner recommended aligning closing time with the city’s noise ordinance and suggested 10 p.m. as a compromise. The motion that passed approved the hours as amended: Monday–Saturday 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.

Roll-call voting recorded approval as amended by: Benitez (approve), Lockery (approve), Peaks (approve), Van Twerp (approve), Bauer (approve), Bedard (approve). The commission recorded no written opposition; staff acknowledged a packet of customer signatures in support was submitted for the record.

The commission’s decision included formal findings that the change would not: adversely affect neighboring property values, increase congestion or parking demand, or create a general nuisance given the amended hours. Commissioners noted the business type would not change and affirmed that the city’s noise ordinance would continue to apply.

The commission closed the public hearing after comments and moved on to routine business. The commission’s next scheduled meeting was announced as Aug. 28 (noted by staff during the meeting).