Third time’s a charm: Gahanna Sheetz approved after two failed proposals
See a report on an earlier Sheetz proposal in Gahanna in the video player above.
GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – After two failed attempts, real estate company Skilken Gold has received the green light from Gahanna to build a Sheetz gas station and convenience store in the city.
Gahanna's planning commission approved a Sheetz at 530 Tech Center Drive Wednesday. Plans call for a building on the southern portion of the 2.9-acre lot, with a drive thru and six fuel pumps covered by a canopy. The plot is currently undeveloped.
The approval comes after multiple failed attempts which drew backlash from residents. The real estate company proposed a Sheetz on a plot between Johnstown Road and Morse Road last year and then again at 230 Granville St. this spring; both of those applications failed. The company’s previous two attempts received immense criticism from residents on social media, who cited concerns about safety and traffic.
During the Wednesday planning commission meeting, a Gahanna resident spoke, saying while she approved of the most recent proposed Sheetz location, she had concerns about the bike lanes on Tech Center Drive.
“Right by the Sheetz is where the bike lane transitions to a side path and because it’s downhill I am a little concerned about, with the traffic coming in and out of those two driveways, and the bikes flying onto that side path,” the resident said.
At the meeting, six of seven planning commission members were present. Ultimately, all six members voted to approve of the Tech Center Drive Sheetz.
“There’s been very little on social media unlike the first two sites,” commission member Michael Tamarkin said. “The public supports it, the city supports it.”
Chairman James Mako thanked Sheetz for working through a “long” and “contentious” road to find a location for the gas station, stating he believes Tech Center Drive will be a good spot for Sheetz.
The convenience store chain opened its first central Ohio store in 2021 and has since quickly expanded to 27 more central Ohio locations.