A proposed Sheetz gas station at the corner of North New Hope and Buffaloe roads that sparked neighborhood opposition was quashed by City Councilors this week.
Raleigh City Council members Tuesday voted to hold the final decision of a rezoning application until their next meeting in September, allowing the developer time to file a new application that prohibits gas stations on the 6-acre property.
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By holding the application, Councilors will avoid any time delays due to a developer withdrawing an application and submitting a new one.
The vacant 6-acre lot on the corner of New Hope and Buffaloe roads is currently zoned Residential-6. Applicant Dean Marion wanted to change that zoning to Neighborhood Business, which would allow retail and offices to be built.
Areas zoned neighborhood business can have a gas station.
Neighbors said the developers and its representatives weren’t transparent about the intended use and that they only found out about the proposed gas station by reading the traffic impact analysis.
During the course of the case, it became apparent that Sheetz was interested in the property for a future location.
Neighbors voiced their opposition to the gas station and convenience store at multiple public meetings. Many claimed the new business would increase traffic in the mostly residential area.
Many also took issue with the developer’s unwillingness to limit the hours of operation. All Sheetz locations are open 24 hours a day.
“I’m a big property rights person,” said Councilor John Odom, who added that he believes that people have the right to get the best value for their property.
It’s also important, he said, for neighbors to work together to get things done.
Odom, who represents the district in which the property is located, has said he is in favor of neighborhood business, but doesn’t believe that this is the proper location for a 24-hour gas station and convenience store.
The new application must come in by Aug. 31. As with all zoning cases, there will be a public hearing before final approval.
