Toledo panel approves plan for gas station

12/6/2008

Despite objections from a group of neighbors, the Toledo Plan Commission has approved a Kroger gas station across the street from the grocer's location in the 2300 block of Holland-Sylvania Road, north of Bancroft Street.

The commission voted 4-1 Thursday in favor of the special-use permit request for the station on the east side of Holland-Sylvania. Commissioner Matthew Lewandowski voted no.

The audience included more than 15 residents of Farm View Court, a 30-unit community of one and two-story condominiums near the proposed station.

"We are all in disfavor for this," said Sharon Belisle, 64, whose backyard abuts the property. "All of the noise, all of the lights, all of the chaos."

Rocleen Reihing, president of Reynolds Corners Community Development Inc., said she feared the station not only would detract from residents' quality of life and depress their property values, but represent a safety hazard.

In response, Carmella Vanzant, real estate manager for Kroger, said the company operates its station within environmental guidelines.

Ms. Vanzant said the grocer needs the station to stay competitive with stores such as Meijer, which also sells gas.

Residents said they will fight the proposal again next month when it goes before Toledo City Council's Planning and Zoning Committee.