Sunday, March 27, 2022

Public time to weigh in on Proposed Mega Truckstop at Lake Pleasant and Newark Rd

  As the informational meeting on the new proposed mega Truck stop at the corner of Newark Rd and Lake Pleasant was posted in the County Press only one day before the meeting and the vast majority of the community was not aware that any meeting was taking place, we STRONGLY encourage folks to attend the Attica Township meeting on  April 14th  and the Attica Planning Committee on April 28th at 7PM at the Attica Township hall. Get informed, voice your concerns, and make your feelings known. 

Meeting time is is 7PM at the Attica Township hall, 

4350 Peppermill Rd,  Attica Michigan

  Below is the most current site plan for the proposed truck stop.




Truck stop proposed in Attica Township (From March 23rd County Press)

 


Truck stop proposed in Attica Township

Public hearing set for Thursday evening



ublic hearing will be held Thursday evening regarding a proposed truck stop at the northwest corner of Newark and Lake Pleasant roads in Attica Township. Photo by Krystal Moralee

A public hearing will be held Thursday evening regarding a proposed truck stop at the northwest corner of Newark and Lake Pleasant roads in Attica Township. Photo by Krystal Moralee

ATTICA TWP. — More than 30 years ago, the 13-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Lake Pleasant and Newark roads was rezoned to B-2, which is general business zoning. Now, plans are underway for a truck stop at that location, though there are a number of things that have to happen first. That includes a public hearing, which will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Attica Township Hall.

“We thought we’d have a gas station down there (when it was first rezoned),” said township Supervisor Al Ochadleus.

But that never happened.

The land is owned by a group of attorneys out of Lapeer, said Ochadleus, and site plans have been submitted by Bazco Oil Holdings out of New Haven to develop the parcel into a truck stop with fuel, parking, a convenience store, a restaurant, and showers. The truck stop would be bordered by Newark Road to the south, Lake Pleasant to the east, the I-69 off ramp to the north and New Life Christian Church to the west.

The plans, however, have not been approved by the Lapeer County Road Commission, which could throw a wrench into the whole thing, said Ochadleus. He referred to a service station that was planned for the intersection of Imlay City and Wilder roads, which failed to get approval from the Road Commission and was not built.

“(Bazco) came to the township last July,” said Ochadleus. “We held a preplanning conference with them. The Road Commission was here and involved,” he said.

Last month, the issue came back before the Planning Commission, and there was still significant information missing from the plans, including an okay from the Road Commission and the issue of stormwater runoff at the site. Still, the Planning Commission opted to schedule the public hearing.

“We will hold the public hearing Thursday night, but I don’t see the Planning Commission making any determination or vote on it,” said Ochadleus. “There’s a lot of loose ends to this whole thing.”

As far as zoning goes, Ochadleus said, the plans fit into what is allowable under B-2 zoning.

There are a few homes across Newark Road from the site, and some neighbors aren’t thrilled with the thought of a truck stop in their neighborhood. One concerned resident is Rachel Omlor, who lives across from the New Life church and reached out to The County Press about the issue.

“Here, it’s mainly a residential area,” she said. “We don’t have any other businesses here and I know a gas station would be a lot of problems with noise, pollution and the traffic it would cause… I don’t think it’s appropriate in this neighborhood.”

Omlor also expressed concern for Rowley’s Grocery, which has served Attica residents for generations and recently took a hit when Dollar General moved in.

“It would hit her from both sides, and I feel horrible for her for it,” said Omlor.

Residents will have an opportunity to speak during public time at the hearing. There will be a four-minute limit for comments.

Public time to weigh in on Proposed Mega Truckstop at Lake Pleasant and Newark Rd

  As the informational meeting on the new proposed mega Truck stop at the corner of Newark Rd and Lake Pleasant was posted in the County Pre...