Bath residents speak out against plan for Sheetz, restaurants at Montrose site

Increased traffic. A business district already saturated with gas stations and restaurants. A possible tax incentive.

These concerns prompted Bath residents to speak out Wednesday against a plan to construct a Sheetz gas station and two restaurants at a site adjacent to the Interstate 77 interchange in Montrose. The property is currently occupied by a Holiday Inn and a shuttered restaurant.

Township trustees are expected to vote on the proposal May 22.

Osborne Capital Group 77 Development in Mentor is asking the Bath Township Trustees to change the zoning on the 5.2 acres at 4073 Medina Road near Springside Drive, from B-3, which is more for office development, to B-2, which is more for commercial development. The Mentor company wants to carve three parcels from the property: one for a Sheetz gas station, one for a Texas Roadhouse restaurant and a third for a retail or restaurant option.

"We are in early talks with a coffee house, but nothing has been signed," said Robert Ondak, a Cleveland attorney and the legal representative for OCG 77 Development.

This is not the first time a Sheetz station has been suggested for this property. In summer 2020, another developer had proposed constructing a gas station, but the rezoning request was rejected.

Background: Developer seeks to raze Holiday Inn to make way for Sheetz, eateries in Montrose

Gas station plans scuttled: Sheetz ends its bid to build gas station in Boston Heights

What steps have been taken?

In September 2022, the Summit County Planning Commission approved the application for the zoning change.

In addition, in November 2022, the township's zoning commission approved the zoning change.

"The proposed map amendment is in the Montrose area and conforms to the Bath Comprehensive Plan," said Richard Bradner, the chair of the zoning commission, in a written statement he read during Wednesday's public hearing. "It provides enhanced benefits for our citizens as well as a suitable buffer to our residential districts. The proposed development not only fits into the Montrose area character, but it provides a substantial upgrade to the Montrose district in general."

What are residents objecting to?

Bath resident Bill Weber said is concerned that the proposal would lead to increased traffic in a location that already sees a great amount of it.

"I think we are talking some pretty high traffic volumes," Weber said. "We don't have the (Ohio Department of Transportation) or county engineer's reports. I feel B-3 allows for a reasonable use for the property. B-2 would have a negative impact in the area."

Weber added that the area had more than 40 restaurants and several gas stations.

JoAnn Alexander, also from Bath, agreed with Weber, adding that there were two gas stations near the proposed development.

"A third opened, closed, reopened and is now closed permanently," Alexander said. "I think the market has spoken — we don't need another gas station."

Alexander said Texas Roadhouse would just bring another restaurant with a similar menu to other eateries in the area. "That doesn't benefit Bath."

Another issue, Alexander said, was the idea of a tax increment financing, or TIF, with the developer.

"What this means is 'taxpayer Is financing,'" Alexander said.

Hotel regulations put in place: Copley fine-tunes hotel definitions, seeks to avoid problems

Cleaning up business: Car washes make a huge splash as service sector booms across Summit County

What is a TIF?

The OCG 77 Development would become Bath's first TIF agreement if approved.

According to information from the Federal Highway Administration, a TIF creates funding for public or private projects by borrowing against the future increase in the anticipated property tax revenue.

Robert Konstand, the legal representative for the township, said the proposal calls for a 75% tax reduction over 10 years on any new development on the property. The money from the TIF would then be used for improvements on Springside Drive.

County officials would have to give the final approval to any TIF agreement, Konstand said.

Alexander, however, said such an incentive was detrimental to the township and not needed.

"The township’s tax base will be subsidizing this project and the contractor’s profit margin," she said. "Montrose is an attractive business location. There’s no reason for the township to create an incentive to attract investors."

New store coming? Ohio Supreme Court rejects citizen group's last-ditch bid to block Menards near Montrose

What are the next steps?

ODOT still needs to complete its traffic study of the surrounding area along state Route 18; its report would include recommendations on any changes needed for the area.

The Summit County Engineer's office also would need to approve the stormwater plans for the development.

Lance Osborne of Osborne Capital Group said that if the development is approved, OCG would purchase the property and tear down the Holiday Inn Akron-West and the former Hyde Park restaurant, e.

Trustee Sharon Troike said township officials would accept written statements about the proposal from residents through May 19. Visit https://www.bathtownship.org for details.

Support local journalism: 6 reasons why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Bath residents speak out against proposed Sheetz in Montrose