Gahanna and New Albany residents square off against proposed Sheetz near roundabout

The reaction to Sheetz gas stations/fast food markets in central Ohio has been mixed, following its first opening in Delaware almost two years ago.

More:UPDATED: Sheetz' first central Ohio store officially opens in Delaware

At some proposed sites, like that in Worthington Hills next to Hills Market, opposition has been fierce with resident outcry and organized protests killing plans. Others have been welcomed with little controversy.

Of some 50 locations that store officials have planned, almost half are now operating with others on the way, according to the "Find a Sheetz" mapping tool.

The most recent are planned for a 2-acre site at 7480 Sawmill Road, on the site of a closed Max & Erma's restaurant north of Hard Road; and a 3-acre site at 2480 Walcutt Road, which would replace several homes on the southeast corner of Walcutt and Roberts roads.

But residents of Gahanna and New Albany were the latest to fire back against plans for the latest Sheetz at the southwest corner Morse and Johnstown roads, during a March 8 planning commission meeting, citing public safety, aesthetics, traffic issues and a litany of small details.

The 6,131-square-foot store would be on 4.2 acres owned by The New Albany Company. It would have 43 parking spaces, 16 fueling stations and 74 trees and shrubs surrounding it, according to planners.

It would be walking distance to a Goddard School, The Barn At Rocky Fork restaurant and High Bank Distillery Gahanna, all desired amenities. Residents, however, say the Sheetz project simply doesn't fit here.

"We're going to have strangers in the neighborhood next door to a children's school," New Albany resident Carole Scherker said, referring to the Goddard School. "No matter how many fences they put in, no matter how many trees they put in, it's going to look like a circus tent," she said of the stations with their bright logos and canopies to keep motorists dry.

"There are three gas stations one mile down the road," she said. "Why do we need another?"

Officials from developer Skilken Gold and attorney Chris Ingram responded to each concern, maintaining that the Sheetz station is zoned appropriately for the corner, traffic studies had been done and colors and styles of the roof and awnings have been modified to fit into the rural character of the area.

As for another gas station, officials said that Sheetz is more than gas pumps, with a sit-down restaurant and merchandise for sale.

Gahanna resident Aaron Epstein objected to a variance sought by Sheetz allowing for 18-foot clearance for vehicles entering for fill-ups, 10 feet more than municipal code allows.

"What kind of vehicles do they want to bring in here?" he asked.

Sheetz said the poles would be that tall, but the cross bars they hold would be 11 feet tall.

Michael Maxfield, of New Albany, questioned a proposed traffic light on Morse Road just west of a roundabout already at the intersection to address traffic back-ups.

"You're going to recreate the problem that was relieved by the roundabout," he said.

The traffic signal would allow motorists leaving Sheetz and Goddard to turn left on Morse.

Sheetz has about three weeks to appeal the planning commission's decision to deny final development and design review plans. The city's Board of Zoning and Building Appeals would rule on that if it is appealed.

The conditional use has already been approved and the store complies with the neighborhood-commercial zoning.

Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin said she's frustrated that she and city council members are taking flak for not speaking out against the plans.

"I'm getting criticized for not voting against this project.," she said. "Residents get upset and they don't understand the legislative process in place."

Gahanna's city code and charter "vests the responsibility in the boards and commissions," comprised of residents," she said. "But I don't have a voice or a vote in this."

Michael Tamarkin, planning commission member, cited "multiple murders," including a homicide March 3 at a Sheetz on the Southeast Side.

"If that is not an undesirable effect I don't know what is," he said at the meeting.

He also blamed The New Albany Company for entering a contract with Sheetz to develop the site.

"They developed the area. They should have a little more pride, a little more respect for Gahanna," Tamarkin said. "If this property were 50 feet across the street, this project would never happen."

Some Sheetz which faced initial public opposition, have had few, if any, problems since.

One of the most recent opened in August at Seldom Seen Road and Sawmill Parkway in Liberty Township near Powell. After developers agreed to the lower building height, use dimmer parking-lot lighting and earth mounding, along with fencing and thick landscaping, resident complaints diminished.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gahanna residents rail against proposed Sheetz