The agreement was developed for the former IGA store and attached strip center. The city acquired the former grocery store and strip center and is renovating the former grocery into its new police headquarters at 601 S. Main St. The proposed gas station would be next the police station.
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The Planning Commission voted Aug. 20 to recommend amending the agreement to permit retail fuel sales with specific hours of operation, fuel canopy location and access from South Main Street.
City Development Director Kevin Chesar said in addition to amending the agreement, the Planning Commission limited retail fuel sales operations to 18 hours a day, required moving the fuel canopy further west to allow a sidewalk and avoid traffic bunching from the street and permitted direct access to the parcel.
Chesar said the applicant anticipates 200 to 300 vehicles per day, which is estimated to be one-tenth of the former IGA traffic at its peak. He said the project would be a 4,000 square-foot convenience store/gas station and would be similar to the BP station at Interstate 75/Ohio 122 in Middletown.
“City standards would ensure appropriate development of any new site,” Chesar said. “Concerns regarding light pollution, noise, and access issues would be tempered through code regulations and the results of (a traffic impact study) as determined by the City Engineer.”
Chesar said the proposed amendment is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and future land use map to encourage commercial development along that road and other major thoroughfares.
No one spoke in opposition at the public hearing, but the city received three letters, one in favor, one against and one with traffic concerns.
Resident Thomas O’Hair of Carson Road, wrote that it was already difficult to make a left turn onto South Main Street at certain times of the day and traffic has increased over the past two years due to the new homes being built nearby. He also suggested a traffic light at Carson Road and South Main Street.
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