Sheetz proposal coming back to Farmington Hills Planning Commission

Representatives for Sheetz, a national chain of 24-hour restaurant, convenience store and gas station outlets, will appear before the Farmington Hills Planning Commission again on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Sheetz is proposing a new location at 12 Mile and Middlebelt roads, on the site of the former Ginopolis restaurant. The popular eatery closed in 2019.

The commission voted unanimously in June to allow Sheetz to locate there; Thursday night's meeting is to consider the company's planned unit development, a more detailed look at the project. The commission will likely set a date for a public hearing on the matter.

The public may comment on the proposal. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. 11 Mile Road.

The matter may also come before the City Council at a later date.

When Sheetz appeared before the commission in June, it proposed six pumps, creating 12 fueling stations; and a 6,100-square-foot convenience store and restaurant that would include drive-through service. Like all Sheetz locations, it would be open 24 hours.

Planning commissioners and nearby residents raised concerns about lighting and noise in the late-night hours, but company officials assured them that drive-through service is a small part of their business.

Company officials said in June that the former Ginopolis site is falling into disrepair and that Sheetz prides itself on quality building developments.

Sheetz recently opened its first Michigan location in Romulus. About 500 people came to a grand opening celebration.

Sheetz plans to open 50-60 locations in the Detroit area in the next five to six years, but its proposed developments in some cities have been put on hold. Other cities have rejected Sheetz outlets.

Bob Sheetz opened the first location in Pennsylvania in the early 1950s. The company is still family owned and now operates more than 700 locations in several states.