Livonia planning commission tables Sheetz rezoning after heavy resident opposition

A rezoning request to allow a Sheetz convenience store and gas station at the parcel listed in the agenda packet as "373558 Mile Road" produced extensive public opposition and no final recommendation from the Livonia City Planning Commission. The petition — filed by Skilkin Gold to change the site from C‑1 (local business) to C‑2 (general business) — was discussed during a public hearing in which neighbors raised traffic, safety, environmental and land‑use concerns.

The petitioner and Sheetz representatives described the proposal as a one‑story, 6,139‑square‑foot convenience store with six fuel pumps (12 fueling positions), a drive‑through and outdoor seating. Alex Sawicki of Sheetz said the company expects a roughly $10,000,000 local investment and 30–35 primarily full‑time jobs, and emphasized that the location is not designed to operate as a truck stop: "Truck stops are much larger in acreage...a tractor trailer would clog up our entire operation," Sawicki said. He also said Sheetz stores in Livonia would not sell alcohol and that the chain meets city lighting requirements.

Neighbors disagreed. Dozens of residents who live around Greenmead and Whispering Willows Golf Course told commissioners the intersection of 8 Mile and Newberg already backs up in rush hours and that additional turning movements and late‑night traffic would increase crash risk and noise. Ralph McNabb said the site's steep topography and proximity to on‑site ponds and a downstream creek that feeds the Bell Branch and Rouge River raised spill and contamination fears: "If we get a spill, it's gonna be devastating," he said. Several speakers pointed to a childcare facility near the corner and warned a 24‑hour operation would create new safety and nuisance issues.

Planning staff read technical correspondence in the packet noting requirements and constraints: the city engineering division flagged stormwater‑detention requirements under the Wayne County stormwater ordinance and recommended a traffic study to evaluate whether access turn movements should be restricted; the city fire and inspection offices listed permit and separation stipulations to be enforced at site‑plan stage.

Commissioners discussed geotechnical and grading challenges. John Cecil of Wade Trim, the project engineer, said the team expects to remediate poor soils ("we're anticipating about $1.5 million to remediate the geotechnical concern on‑site") with retaining walls and special foundations, and to meet required slopes so entrances and walkways conform to grade standards.

On the motions, Commissioner Droz moved to recommend approval, citing compatibility with surrounding commercial uses and long‑standing commercial activity on the parcel; that motion failed on a split vote. Commissioner Ventura then moved to deny the rezoning, citing conflict with the future land‑use map and incompatibility with adjacent zoning; that motion also produced a split. The commission ultimately voted to table the petition to its first regular October meeting (Oct. 8) so absent members can participate and the full record can be considered. Chair Wilshaw noted that the planning commission issues advisory recommendations and that final action on rezoning rests with the Livonia City Council.

The commission recorded the public hearing transcript and will revisit the petition at the October meeting, at which the commission will produce a recommendation that city council may accept, modify or reject.