Farmington Hills City Council rejects Sheetz proposal at 12 Mile, Middlebelt roads due to traffic concerns

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Two gas stations are already at the intersection of 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads.

That’s one reason the Farmington Hills City Council voted Monday (Jan. 13) night not to approve a proposed Sheetz location on the northwest corner.

–> Sheetz is facing strong opposition in Farmington Hills over traffic concerns for the proposed location

People filled Monday night’s council meeting, which ran past 1. They raised several concerns, including the 24-hour restaurant in Sheetz and how it could increase late-night foot traffic. Then Sheetz gas stations are bigger than most.

“It’s just too big to put because it would abut a residential area,” resident Pea Gee said. “It will increase traffic there. More gas tankers. And we just don’t want that.”

Sheetz seemed to know which way the vote was going. Prior to the council meeting, they issued a statement in which they requested Farmington Hills delay the vote.

The chain’s first Michigan location opened last year in Romulus. Farmington Hills isn’t the only community Sheetz has its eye on.

Taylor, Warren, Macomband Chesterfield are also set to get their own locations.

Sheetz plans to open 50 to 60 gas stations throughout the Great Lakes state within the next five years.

Local 4 was told 50 citizens spoke at the meeting and their city council voted unanimously to deny Sheetz’s request to build at the 12-mile and Middlebelt site.