TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo City Council will decide on Wednesday whether the controversial construction of a convenience store will happen at a plaza in south Toledo.
Last week, the zoning committee rejected the proposal to build a Sheetz at Airport Highway and Bernath Parkway because of its proximity to a nearby neighborhood.
Council member Theresa Morris, who chairs the committee said she supports more businesses such as Sheetz coming to the city, especially with it being open 24/7 and bringing in good competition. However, residents who live in the neighborhood shared concerns in meetings about having the store so close to their homes.
Morris said there were other locations such as Alexis Road or in the central city that council members say would be a better fit.
"They've already come in our area and we're happy to have them. However, is this location the best fit for that neighborhood, for that area, for the other businesses that are in the area?" Morris said. "It just makes sense to have a plethora of businesses to support those residents in that area."
Council member Adam Martinez, who represents the district the Sheetz would be built in, said there are a few reasons why he is not on board with the location and doesn't believe it would work.
"Mainly because it's a non-compatible use with the adjacent neighborhood," he said.
Martinez said he likes the idea of another Sheetz coming to his district, but he doesn't like how close it would be to residential homes and its potential to displace businesses in the plaza.
"They have one right there on Southwyck Boulevard, right next to the Amazon that should be going up in the spring, very supportive of it," he said. "Would love to have more in good locations like that in District Two, but this particular one just isn't a good fit."
He said another reason he's opposed to this location is because it would be open 24/7.
"The city of Toledo, the administration and city council have worked very closely with business owners and neighborhoods to limit hours of operations for gas stations adjacent to neighborhoods," Martinez said. "This has been over at least a decade of work that would be kind of wiped out, so I'm very conscientious of that and I don't want to set a precedent on and undo all the good work we've done over the past decade."
Martinez said a vacant TGI Fridays space across from the plaza is currently for lease and would be a better location.
"Even though it's next to a neighborhood, it's a bigger site where they can actually have their drive-through. I don't think it would be as big of an impact as it would be, or as disruptive as, tearing down the plaza there," he said.
Area residents have also expressed their opposition to the construction of Airport Highway and Bernath Parkway.
"A company with that big of an impact on a city should have more communication with the representatives and residents of the city. This is our home. We are not numbers on a company's profit and loss statement," Theresa Jackson, who lives by the proposed location, said in a Facebook message sent to WTOL 11.
A Sheetz attorney did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.