For the first time, Sheetz has begun building a store in Oakland County.
The chain of 24-hour gas station/restaurant/convenience stores is locating on the site of a former gas station at 39471 W. 12 Mile Road at Haggerty Road in Novi. The new store will open next spring.
Sheetz has opened several stores and is building new locations in Macomb and Wayne counties. The company, based in Pennsylvania, plans to open 50-60 stores in the Detroit area in the next five years.
In Oakland County, Sheetz has several stores planned but has encountered opposition in several cities. Residents fear additional traffic and late-night noise, light pollution, loitering and crime. Business organizations say a large corporation like Sheetz could create unfair competition for family-owned gas stations.
Residents did not object to the Novi location, nor to Sheetz’ plan to open on the site of a long-vacant building at 4160 S. Lapeer Road in Orion Township.
Township officials OK’d the plan, but Sheetz has not begun construction.
Sheetz also gained approval from Highland Township officials to open a location at 155 Highland Road, but construction hasn’t begun.
Over residents’ objections, the Royal Oak City Commission approved a rezoning to allow a store on the site of a vacant manufacturing facility at 3200 W. 14 Mile Road, but Sheetz is awaiting a final vote from the commission to formally adopt the rezoning agreement.
Sheetz proposed two locations in Farmington Hills. Amid strenuous objections from residents, the City Council rejected a plan to allow a store on the site of the former Ginopolis restaurant at 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads. Sheetz appealed the decision in Oakland County Circuit Court, but Judge Kwame Rowe has not issued a decision.
The Farmington Hills Planning Commission approved Sheetz’ plan to demolish a vacant auto repair shop at Grand River and Middlebelt roads, which did not generate opposition from residents. Sheetz is still working out the details with the city and the landlord.
An exterior view of the new Sheetz location in Chesterfield Township, which opened in late September. GINA JOSEPH – THE MACOMB DAILY
Here is a list of Sheetz locations in southeast Michigan that are open, under construction or fully approved:
STORES OPEN
33380 Wick Road, Romulus
29225 Smith Road, Romulus
29050 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield Township
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
31925 Van Dyke Ave., Warren
19001 E. Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe
39471 W. 12 Mile Road, Novi
Southwest corner of 14 Mile and Utica roads, Fraser
20623 Eureka Road, Taylor
28030 Gratiot Avenue, Roseville
PLANNED LOCATIONS
8200 Telegraph Road, Taylor
45011 Garfield Road, Macomb
2103 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
45075 N. Gratiot Ave., Macomb
5970 12 Mile Road, Warren
4160 S. Lapeer Road, Orion Township
Southwest corner of Haggerty and Ecorse roads in Van Buren Township
48825 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township
Southeast corner of 23 Mile Road and North Avenue, Macomb Township
155 Highland Road, Highland Township
Sheetz said in a release that it will hire employees for the future locations later this year. Each store will employ about 35 people; most will be full time.