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Applicant and board weigh fuel-tank placement versus preserving downtown oak canopy
Summary
At a planning-related portion of the meeting, an applicant seeking to add fuel pumps and tanks said MDEQ raised no obvious soil issues and proposed locating tanks in a southeast corner; board members pressed to explore alternatives to cutting mature oaks and flagged a possible future turning lane that could affect tank placement.
An applicant seeking fuel pumps and underground tanks for a commercial site discussed site layout and a plan to add parking, while board members urged protecting mature oak trees and checking state environmental approval before any tree removal.
Muad Saeed (speaker 17), who identified himself for the record, told the board his architect recommended placing tanks at the east–southeast corner of the lot and said he had spoken with MDEQ. "I've spoken to, mister McCain over the MDEQ," he said. "He said there shouldn't be any soil issues." Saeed said he and his architect had proposed moving the tanks away from pumps for safety and that adding pumps and parking is necessary for the business to remain competitive.
Board members pressed for alternatives that would avoid cutting oaks. The mayor (Mayor, speaker 1) told the applicant, "I want to make sure we're doing our due diligence to save those trees," and asked staff to revisit the site before any final approval. Several board members said they favored preserving canopy where possible and pointed to a tree-board recommendation that reduced a proposed cut from seven trees to five.
Members also raised a separate planning concern: a previously discussed turning lane on Pineville Road that could require buying right-of-way and later moving tanks if an expansion takes the same area. One board member advised caution: moving tanks now could force the city to buy them again should road work require displacement.
The board and applicant agreed not to clear trees before MDEQ approval, and the applicant said he is willing to adjust the plan to preserve trees. The board left the matter on the planning track: staff and the planning commission will continue review and provide engineering input and MDEQ documentation before a final decision.
