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Willoughby Council approves gas station at Lost Nation Road despite neighborhood objections
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Summary
On March 17, 2026 the Willoughby City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-20 approving EAS #2-1-26 for a gas station and convenience store at Lost Nation Road and Tamarac Boulevard by a 5-1 vote amid multiple resident objections about outdoor dining, vape sales and neighborhood impacts.
Willoughby — The Willoughby City Council voted 5-1 on March 17 to adopt Resolution No. 2026-20, approving EAS #2-1-26 for construction of a gas station and convenience store at the corner of Lost Nation Road and Tamarac Boulevard.
Councilman Ken Kary moved to adopt the resolution; Mr. Garry seconded. The roll call recorded five votes in favor and one opposed (Councilwoman Kristie Sievers). Earlier in the public comment period, several nearby residents urged Council to reject or restrict elements of the developer’s plan, especially outdoor dining and proposed vape product sales.
John Skolny, who lives on Crossbrook Avenue near the site, told Council he opposed the gas station and asked whether the city’s outdoor seating limit for restaurants would apply to the proposed convenience store. "I have not heard of any indoor seating being planned for that location," Skolny said, and asked whether the same 30% rule applies.
Law Director Lucas responded that "the regulation limiting outdoor seating to 30% of indoor seating is written into both the code and the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the establishment. Therefore, the same legal limitation would apply to the gas station as well." That clarification addresses a procedural point about how outdoor dining will be regulated if the establishment pursues that option.
Other residents voiced related objections. Bill Collins, who lives adjacent to Two Town Creek, backed neighbors’ concerns, saying the proposal behind McKinley "does not align with the City's established details and criteria." Donna Arnold said another station in the corridor, with customers congregating outside, would diminish the neighborhood’s quiet character.
Shadé Greene submitted a written statement asking Council to deny requests for outdoor dining and vape product sales, noting that the property sits about 200 feet from family homes and that outdoor seating "can lead to groups gathering" and noise that would intrude on residential yards. "Given the immediate proximity of family homes, I respectfully urge the council to deny the requests for outdoor dining and vape product sales," Greene wrote.
Council discussion preceding the vote was largely procedural in the minutes; the record shows Council suspended the usual three-reading rule earlier in the meeting and proceeded to a roll call vote on the resolution. The minutes do not record conditions attached to the resolution or any follow-up restrictions beyond the code/CUP requirements already referenced by the Law Director.
The resolution’s adoption means the environmental assessment and related approvals for the Tamarac Gas Station project move forward under the terms of the city’s permitting process. The minutes do not record any appeal or subsequent administrative action at the meeting. A separate written CUP and applicable permit terms will determine whether and how outdoor dining or vape sales may be implemented.