Residents urge commission to reject proposed Sheetz site, citing traffic and safety

Multiple Royal Oak residents used the public-comment period on May 12 to urge the commission to oppose a proposed Sheetz gas station and associated development.

Nancy Poprovsky argued the project would mean more traffic, noise and environmental harm, and said community members and first responders raised safety concerns: “Please vote no to Sheetz,” she told commissioners. Poprovsky also linked the development push to broader concerns about overdevelopment and preservation of neighborhood character.

Mary Giordano, who said she has lived in Royal Oak for more than 50 years and represents 14 homeowners, described chronic congestion at the Coolidge and 14 Mile intersection and said adding a 24-hour convenience store, restaurant and car wash at that location would create an unsafe condition. “I do really fear for the safety of anybody that's driving in that area if Sheetz goes in,” she said, citing long delays leaving driveways and backups that already extend past local driveways.

Thomas Horman described a recent brown-water incident caused by a recurring water-main break near Genesee Avenue and noted DPS crews and first responders had been dispatched to a roof fire near the proposed Sheetz site. He flagged concerns about construction coordination and noted the site has been referenced in recent emergency responses.

Speakers asked commissioners to consider traffic studies, safety impacts for pedestrians and drivers, and neighborhood character before approving any such development. The commission did not take a final vote on a Sheetz-specific approval during the May 12 meeting; several speakers said the matter remains under consideration in recent planning and permitting discussions.