9/19/13 - The Kroger store on M-59 near Oak Grove Road got the green light from the Howell City Planning Commission to build a fueling station on its property last night. The commission approved a special land use request and a final site plan for the project. A fueling station is different from a gas station in that it has no central retail area, just a small kiosk for an attendant and very limited items for sale. The site plan indicates that the station will have seven pumps, which equates to 14 gasoline dispensers. Kroger does not plan to add any new access to M-59 or Oak Grove since they expect, as is the case at other Kroger fueling stations, most patrons will gas up after going into the store to rack up reward points for cheaper gasoline. The cityâs ordinances did not originally allow for a fueling station in that area, but that was changed last year to allow stations that are incidental to an existing use, such as a grocery store. The site plan for the project was recently altered to eliminate the water and restroom facilities at the central kiosk, reducing its size and allowing for proper vehicle flow through the facility. The planning commission also recommended the station dim its lights every night at 11pm to a bare minimum needed for security. The fueling station likely will not be open past 10pm. With permission from the planning commission to move forward, Kroger will now have to apply for building permits in order to begin construction. (TD)
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