Commission approves 20-year SUP for Kroger fuel center on Shiloh with traffic and landscaping conditions

The Garland Plan Commission voted to approve a 20-year specific-use provision (SUP) for a Kroger fuel center at 6850 North Shiloh Road, conditioned on traffic improvements and additional landscaping along Shiloh Road.

Staff reported that the proposed fuel pumps would occupy the southeast corner of the Kroger site and remove 63 parking spaces from the existing lot but would leave the store with a parking surplus. The applicant's concept shows a five-in-line dispenser template that yields 10 fueling positions. Staff recommended approval for the typical 20-to-25-year SUP rather than an indefinite period requested by the applicant; several residents had written in with traffic and safety concerns at the intersection.

Kroger's civil engineer, Michael Serrato of CEI Engineering, said the site is currently paved and the fuel canopy location will not substantially alter drainage; Kroger will work with the city to install traffic signals identified in a required traffic-impact analysis. Kroger operations representative Craig Winkler told commissioners the company has operational standards (attendant hours, emergency stops, tank-installation checklists) and is willing to coordinate landscaping and canopy lighting to reduce neighborhood impacts. A nearby resident said crashes and fatalities have occurred at the intersection and supported signalization.

Commissioner Dalton moved to approve a 20-year SUP and asked that Kroger add landscaping on the Shiloh-facing side of the pumps to screen views; commissioners also noted transportation department work on a traffic signal required by the TIA. The motion passed unanimously.