Schererville planning panel approves redevelopment of closed US 30 gas station

The Schererville Plan Commission on Feb. 3 granted primary approval to a redevelopment plan for the former BP/Quick Run site at 5601 U.S. 30, allowing Lucky Business Inc. to demolish existing structures and construct a new convenience store with fueling positions and electric-vehicle chargers.

The commission approved the U.S. 30 Commercial Corridor Overlay District development plan, with Commissioner Chris Rack moving approval and Commissioner Bob Cocon seconding. Roll call was 6-0 in favor.

The petitioner, Lucky Business Inc., represented by James Huss of DVG Team Inc., told commissioners the project would be a ground-up reconstruction of the property, removing the existing store, tanks, car wash and pavement. "The car wash will not be replaced. It'll be demolished," Huss said. He said driveways and overall site circulation would remain largely in their current locations.

Huss described the new station as providing 14 fueling locations and 2 to 3 EV charging stations; he also said lighting fixtures around the lot perimeter were reduced to meet the town's code. A separate engineering letter from Nissan Engineering (Neil Simstat) confirming compliance with sanitary sewer, stormwater and water utility requirements was read into the record. The letter also indicated the lighting plan met code.

Commissioners asked about nighttime lighting and the underground storage tanks. Commissioner Bill Jarvis asked whether lights would remain on along U.S. 30; Huss answered that canopy lighting would likely remain on at night and that a few small building fixtures would be retained but turned down near property lines. Owner Shamir Manhany, who identified himself for the record, said the premium fuel line had been shut down before they purchased the property but that the tanks were "not leaking" and "in good shape." He said the owners had applied to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for approval to remove and replace the tanks and had obtained that approval.

Staff and commissioners discussed screening and landscaping around the dumpster and along the south and west sides of the property. Huss said screening would be provided and that canopy and pump lighting would be adjusted to minimize spillover onto adjacent property.

The approval motion included the condition that federal, state and local regulations and fees be kept current; no separate amendments were made at the meeting.

Planning staff did not record additional conditions beyond standard engineering and code compliance, and the plan will move forward according to the town's approval process.

Votes at a glance: Motion to grant primary approval to Planning Commission case 25-2-1 (BP/Quick Run redevelopment) — mover: Commissioner Chris Rack; second: Commissioner Bob Cocon; vote: Jarvis yes, Long yes, Rack yes, Cocon yes, Imig yes, Anderson yes; tally: 6 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved.