East Lansing council hears public concerns over proposed Meijer Express at Lake Lansing and Abbott

The East Lansing City Council held a public hearing Tuesday on an application from Meijer for a special use permit to build a 5,751-square-foot Meijer Express fuel station and convenience store with six islands and 12 pumps at 100 Westlake Lansing Road.

The proposal drew lengthy public comment focused on traffic safety, existing crash patterns at the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Abbott Road, tree removal on the site and relocation of a CATA stop. Planning staff told the council the property is zoned B2 “Veil Sales Business District” and that the Planning Commission had last night voted 1–5 to deny recommending approval.

Residents and nearby business owners told the council they are worried the project will increase congestion and crashes at an intersection they said already has a higher-than-average crash rate. Jessica Maxon, a local dentist whose office is adjacent to the site, said the traffic impact study “provides the facts and details stating that this intersection has a crash frequency of 16 per year, which is higher than average,” and argued that “approving a gas station across from another gas station at an intersection that already has a higher than average crash rate is irresponsible planning.”

Several residents raised notice and outreach concerns. Richard Ballinger said residents in Meridian Township did not receive mailed notice of the meeting and that neighbors within a block did not receive notice as expected; staff later told council that mailed notice is required only within 300 feet of the site.

Meijer’s real estate manager, Matt Levitt, and landowner Pat Gillespie presented the project. Levitt described the proposed Meijer Express as “a new generation of Meijer gas stations” that would include a larger convenience offering, two level‑2 EV chargers and design revisions including additional landscaping and brick-wrapped canopy supports. Gillespie said his company bought the property about 18 months ago and has leased the site to Meijer.

Staff and the applicant addressed engineering and site-design questions in response to council concerns. Levitt said the project team submitted a traffic study at the city’s request and that city engineers and consultants “reviewed that traffic study and agreed with the findings.” He said the Lake Lansing Road curb cut would be restricted to right‑in/right‑out and the southern curb cut on Abbott Road would also be right‑in/right‑out; the north curb cut would remain full‑access due to distance from the intersection. He also said a wetland study found 0.04 acres of non‑regulated wetlands on the parcel.

Planning staff noted the project will remove trees on Lots 11–13 but that Lot 14 to the north is leased by the applicant and will provide a buffer; Jim Rosama, the applicant’s civil engineer, said a field tree inventory shows about 100 trees four inches or larger on Lots 11–13 and roughly 20 salvageable trees on Lot 14.

Council did not vote on the special use permit. Council member Chris Altman asked staff to make sure the traffic study is linked to the packet for the next meeting. Council members also asked staff to clarify notice requirements. The council closed the public hearing and will consider the application at a future meeting after staff provides the traffic study and any additional information requested.

The applicant and several residents said they expect to continue to work with staff and council as the project proceeds.