Architect presents plan for Marathon-branded fueling station at 3351 Main Street during Moraine public hearing

Mayor Murphy opened a public hearing May 14 on case R-012026, a request to rezone multiple lots at 3351 Main Street from R-2 (residential) to B-1 (business) to permit a fueling station. The council conducted the hearing but did not vote on the zoning change that evening.

The building and zoning administrator presented the staff report, saying the applicant, Harjit Singh, applied to rezone four remaining R-2 lots that are part of a 1.1029-acre parcel. The administrator said the R-2 portion comprises about 0.3903 acres (35.39% of the parcel) and that the proposal would add a gas canopy with three double-sided pumps; fueling hours listed on the application are 5 a.m. to midnight, not 24 hours. The report noted two preliminary site-plan options: option 1—preferred by the technical review committee—requires variances but improves traffic flow; option 2 would comply with B-1 setbacks without variances. The report cited Moraine codified ordinances and Montgomery County property records and said the planning commission declined to recommend the rezoning (vote included one recusal).

Architect Craig Dylan, speaking for the owner, told the council the owner intends to "be good neighbors," would renovate the convenience store with new windows and a façade facelift, and is willing to work with neighboring properties on fencing. "We're just open to the possibility," Dylan said, adding that without the zoning change the owner cannot make the planned improvements.

A council member asked about operating hours after briefly misreading the schedule; Dylan clarified the hours as 5 a.m. to midnight. The building and zoning administrator also noted that, because the property is adjacent to First Freedom Baptist Church, an entrance on Main Street may need to be closed and a buffer and landscape requirements applied under the city code.

The clerk reported there were no registered speakers for or against the proposal. Councilmember Delph recused himself from the matter and left the room prior to the hearing, as announced at the start of the item. The mayor adjourned the public hearing at 6:10 p.m.; the council returned to regular business without taking a zoning vote that evening.