The proposed Sheetz Livonia location is drawing backlash from residents

LIVONIA, Mich. (FOX 2) – Plans for a new Sheetz location in Livonia have sparked controversy with area residents.

“The very same gas pumps that they’re proposing to put will literally be 50 – 60 yards away from the front of my driveway,” resident David Hall said.

A proposed 24-hour Sheetz gas station and restaurant would replace an old Rite Aid space at Eight Mile and Newburgh in Livonia.

Big picture:

His list goes on.

“This place is going to be lit up and that’s what I’m going to have to deal with for who knows how long — the rest of my life, obviously,” he said.

Many Livonia residents say a Sheetz would mean trouble during the night and early morning hours — especially because they say some locations sell beer, liquor and wine.

“We have overnight crime that we have to deal with here,” Hall said. “The police, they’re going to have to patrol this a lot more than they normally do.”

Livonia watched as Farmington Hills residents lobbied their own city council to shoot down the proposed Sheetz building at 12 Mile and Middle Belt, where the shuttered Ginopolis restaurant sits.

“We certainly don’t need something like a truck stop right in the middle of our residential neighborhood,” said one attendee. “

There is too much traffic there already. We already have enough petrol stations,’ said another resident.

They prevailed — with Farmington Hills Council members rejecting the proposal in a unanimous vote Monday night.

But in Livonia they say this location is more complicated – with historical attractions nearby and a golf course next door. In short, they say it just doesn’t fit.

“This is a quiet neighborhood,” Greg Ralko said. “This is a residential area. What they’re proposing really belongs on the freeway — a service drive.”

The other side:

Sheetz released a statement to FOX 2 from the corporate office that said in part:

“As a family-owned and operated company, Sheetz strives to be the best neighbor we can be in every community we serve. As part of that commitment, we want to make sure our stores reflect each neighborhood.

“That is why we continue to have dialogue with local officials and community members to address any project issues as this process in Livonia continues.

“Additionally, the safety and security of our employees and customers – both inside and outside our stores – is our highest priority. We have a first-class security operations center that is staffed 24/7. We also have multiple security cameras and security measures at our stores that provide our employees the opportunity to notify the police as soon as an emergency situation arises.”

Regardless, many in Livland say:

“We just don’t need this,” Ralko said.

The Livonia City Council will vote on the issue on Jan. 27.

Sheetz added that its first Michigan location in Romulus at Metro Airport has been warmly embraced without a hitch.

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