Resident tells council more than 350 people oppose Sheetz rezoning; committee meeting set for April 20

Larry Coven, a Beachwood property owner, used the citizens’ remarks period on April 6 to urge council to oppose a proposed rezoning that would allow a Sheetz convenience store and gas station in Commerce Park.

“Everybody I talk to who is not aware of the zoning proposed change, when I tell them about it, say, ‘How can I help? How can I sign a petition?’ ” Coven said, telling council his online petition had gathered more than 350 signatures. He said he and other Commerce Park building owners and tenants oppose the rezoning and warned the council that 24‑hour operations can correlate with increases in crime and nuisance events.

Councilmember Isaacson responded from the dais to clarify process and to reassure residents about legal limits. Isaacson said property owners are entitled to seek rezoning and that council must follow a formal procedure to avoid exposing the city to legal challenges; he pointed to prior litigation in the region as a caution about taking ad‑hoc action.

Council President announced that council will hold a committee‑of‑the‑whole meeting on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. for Sheetz to present to the council. That session will be the formal opportunity for the applicant to make its case and for council and staff to ask questions before any rezoning ordinance reaches a final vote.

No rezoning vote occurred on April 6. Council members emphasized they are listening to residents while also following the city’s formal zoning process.