Sheetz ends its bid to build gas station in Boston Heights
Sheetz is abandoning its hopes of constructing a gas station in Boston Heights.
On Monday, the company withdrew an appeal that it had filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court after the village decided to block the plan in November.
The dismissal motion was filed by attorney Bruce Rinker of Mansour Gavin LPA in Cleveland. Rinker has served as a legal representative for Sheetz, which is based in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
The group Concerned Citizens of Boston Heights sent a letter Tuesday updating the developments to more than 300 villagers who had expressed concerns about the proposed Sheetz gas station. It would have been constructed at 6625 Dean Memorial Parkway near East Hines Hill Road, Route 8 and the Ohio Turnpike. The property includes the former Norwood Inn, which has been closed for several years.
According to the letter, the Summit County Land Bank was at the property on Monday to assess the cost of demolition and remediation.
"We see this as an excellent sign," the letter said. "We also understand that another potential developer is interested in doing retail development on this site."
Patrick Bravo, the executive director for the Summit County Land Bank, confirmed that demolition contractors were recently on the site to provide updated estimates for any potential demolition work on the site.
"Last year, the Summit County Land Bank was awarded just over $400,000 from the Building Demolition & Site Revitalization Program through the Ohio Department of Development for demolition of the structures located on the property," Bravo said. "The estimates used to apply for that funding were obtained prior to submitting the application, in December 2021, and needed to be updated."
Background:Sheetz won't back away from Boston Heights plan, asks court to intervene
In addition, the letter from Concerned Citizens says Maplewood Lodging, the current owner of the property, told Tom Bevan of Bevan Law Firm, who had voiced opposition to the Sheetz proposal, that Sheetz did not offer to purchase the property — which includes the land and the closed hotel.
"It appears Sheetz is officially out of the picture," the letter said.
Rinker could be reached for comment.
Bevan, whose law firm is next to the property in question, said he was happy to hear that the appeal has been withdrawn. In planning commission meetings, he had voiced concerns for the health of his staff had the gas station been constructed there.
"The truck stop they were proposing was not the right development for that location," Bevan said. "They were trying to stick a round peg into a square hole. It was inconsistent with our codes and with the atmosphere in that area. We are happy to see that dismissed, and we hope that is the last we will hear of a truck stop in that location."
The gas station proposal called for six fuel pumps and 42 parking spaces along the northern end of the property for cars, plus a car wash and a convenience store. The plan for the south end, which would have had 30 parking spaces and a separate fueling station for large trucks, was what packed residents into the village hall on several occasions. Many residents raised concerns about pollution, noise and safety.
'I can't support this': Boston Heights residents speak out against proposed Sheetz
Ultimately, the Boston Heights planning commission rejected the conditional use and site plan at its Nov. 2 meeting. Later that month, Sheetz representatives filed an appeal with the Summit County Common Pleas Courts, stating the village was wrong to deny the conditional use permit and site plans.
Boston Heights Mayor Bill Goncy could not be reached for comment.
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: Sheetz withdraws appeal, ends fight to build Boston Heights facility
