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Planning Commission approves Sheetz site plan at Grand River and Middlebelt, conditioned on dumpster variance or minor redesign
Summary
The commission approved a Sheetz site plan Dec. 19 for the Grand River and Middlebelt corner but required either a ZBA variance for a front‑yard dumpster or a minor amended site plan (staff‑reviewed) that relocates the dumpster out of the front yard; public testimony raised environmental concerns about proximity to the Rouge River.
The Farmington Hills Planning Commission on Dec. 19 approved a site plan for a Sheetz fueling station and convenience store at the southwest corner of Grand River and Middlebelt, subject to conditions including addressing planning, engineering and fire marshal review comments and resolving a non‑compliant dumpster location.
David Bruckelmeyer, representing Sheetz, presented a 6‑pump station with a 6,132 sq ft convenience building and said the company could not fit a drive‑through on the parcel. Planning staff told commissioners the proposed dumpster sits in what the ordinance defines as a front yard on the corner lot; that location would require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The applicant and its attorney asked the commission to approve the plan that night because a zoning amendment is scheduled to take effect Dec. 30 and certain approvals could be affected by the change.
City staff and the city attorney advised the commission that it must act under the ordinance as it existed on Dec. 19. The commission discussed two paths: (a) approve the plan subject to the applicant obtaining a ZBA variance for the dumpster, or (b) approve the plan provided the applicant submits a minor amended site plan that repositions the dumpster to a compliant location and that staff determine the revision is minor and can be administratively reviewed. After a short recess, the applicant proposed a small shift of the site and a custom dumpster enclosure that the applicant said could meet setback requirements; commissioners agreed to language that allows either ZBA approval or a staff‑reviewed minor amendment to avoid the variance.
Commissioners also discussed utility and remediation issues associated with redevelopment of the corner property, where old underground storage tanks and other utilities will need removal or relocation. The applicant estimated a minimum redevelopment investment of roughly $9 million and said remedial and utility work would be part of the project.
At the end of the meeting resident Dr. Betsy King spoke during public comment and urged the commission to consider flood risk and stormwater contamination given the site’s proximity to the Rouge River watershed, noting long‑term risks to water quality and sensitive species. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the concerns and said remediation and stormwater controls required by city and state standards will be part of permit and site‑development reviews.
The commission’s approval requires the applicant to address outstanding items cited in planning (Giffords Webster, Dec. 10, 2024), engineering (Dec. 5, 2024) and fire marshal (Dec. 4, 2024) reviews, and to either secure a ZBA variance for the dumpster location or submit a minor administratively reviewable amendment that relocates the dumpster to a compliant location.
