Planning Commission approves site plan for Great Lakes Petroleum at 1724 Campbell Street

The Sandusky Planning Commission voted to approve a site plan for Great Lakes Petroleum at 1724 Campbell Street that authorizes demolition of existing buildings and construction of a new mixed-use commercial building of about 6,250 square feet.

Planning staff said the building, roughly 24 feet tall, would include about 1,250 square feet of street-facing business space and about 5,000 square feet of storage/garage space used for fleet service and maintenance. Staff noted the proposal provides 15 parking spaces; depending on code interpretation the site might require as few as five or as many as 25 spaces, but staff said 15 spaces appeared adequate given the applicant’s stated operations. Staff also reported preliminary stormwater and engineering review is acceptable and said the fire department requires building plans to demonstrate appropriate suppression for the flammable materials proposed to be stored.

Jeff Foster of PEDO Architects identified himself to the commission and confirmed, “There will be vehicles stored in there.” Foster said the operation currently has two drivers based at the location and plans to grow in the future; he added the fuel farm on the property would remain in place and not be altered by the project.

Commissioners asked whether the site has room for additional parking if future occupancy requires it and encouraged permeable surfaces to reduce runoff. After questions and discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the site plan subject to the conditions in the planning report; the motion passed on roll-call (David Miller, Pete McGorry, Mike Zulof, Jim Jackson and Tom Tucker recorded as yes).

The approval is contingent on the applicant obtaining final building and engineering permits and meeting fire-department requirements for suppression systems prior to construction.