A new gas station is proposed for 'the heart' of Peoria, but neighborhoods are opposed
PEORIA — A gas station proposed for the corner of War Memorial Drive and Sheridan Road has received a cold reaction from residents and local leaders who do not feel the development is the right fit for the area.
Seneca Companies, a Des Moines-based petroleum company, is requesting permission from the city to build a gas station at 3616 N. Sheridan Road, a site that housed a synagogue until 2014.
The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission will review the Seneca proposal at its meeting Thursday.
City councilmember Chuck Grayeb, whose 2nd District is home to the property, said he has received "loud and clear marching orders" from constituents that they do not want a gas station to be built.
He said he doesn't want to see people leave the neighborhood because of a gas station.
"I look at what a development does when it's very intense like this to the adjacent neighborhoods," Grayeb said. "The people, the neighbors — for example in North Florence, Bigelow, The Knolls, Knoll Crest — they have a lot of investment in their homes, and these are stable neighborhoods in the heart of the city and we have to keep these people happy about living in the heart of the city."
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Councilmember Tim Riggenbach, whose 3rd District lies across War Memorial Drive from the site, said he would also not support the proposal. He said that a gas station, car wash and convenience store would be "way too much" for that property.
"It seems like an extremely heavy use to be that close to a residential area," Riggenbach said.
Riggenbach, too, said the neighborhoods nearby need to be heard on the issue.
"These are some of our strong neighborhoods we are doing everything we can to protect and support," Riggenbach said.
The Planning and Zoning Commission received a packet with 194 signatures from neighbors near the proposed development who do not want to see a gas station built. There were no letters or signatures of support sent to the commission.
Buehler Home, located just down the block from the proposed development, also sent a letter to the commission expressing its distaste for a gas station at the site.
"This intense development would be incompatible with the neighborhoods near it and the increased traffic would be a detriment to the Buehler Home and the surrounding homes," the letter stated. "Please do not allow it."
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: New gas station proposed near War Memorial Drive in Peoria
