Residents urge Livonia council to stop Sheetz site plan, cite notice and safety concerns

Several Livonia residents used the public‑comment period to urge the council to halt a proposed Sheetz gas station at 8 Mile and Newburgh, saying the project violates notice requirements and local zoning protections.

Ralph McNabb told the council the ordinance that prohibits gas stations within 100 feet of a park “was incorrectly assigned away by the planning commission, city council, and ZBA,” and said the ZBA proceeded with conditional approval despite failing to meet its own conditions and giving inadequate public notice. McNabb said the developer had admitted the site would require millions in stabilization work to safely store 80,000 gallons of fuel and that the location borders Whispering Willows Golf Course; he described the unresolved status as the basis for pending litigation by residents.

Greg Ralco of Golf Ridge Villa urged the council to rescind the prior site‑plan approval and asserted five council members had been on record opposing the proposal. Ralco framed the issue as a leadership test for council members and argued the planning and ZBA processes were flawed.

Council did not take formal action on the Sheetz site‑plan during this meeting; the comments were part of the audience‑communication period. Residents reported ongoing litigation and asked the council to revisit approvals and procedural errors.

Next steps: residents said they will attend the Law and Education Committee and continue to press the council; council members present heard the complaints but no motion to rescind the site plan was made at this session.