Royal Oak To Hear Sheetz Proposal: What To Know

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak officials are fielding a developer's request to open a new Sheetz convenience store in the city.

The proposed location is a plot of land at 14 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway, next to the Clover Hill Park Cemetery. The developer is also proposing an El Carwash at the site.

The Royal Oak Planning Commission will hear public comment regarding the request at its Feb. 11 meeting.

Developers also plan to introduce a traffic study at the meeting. The study includes turning the intersection into a four-way intersection, with the addition of a right turn lane into the gas station from 14 Mile Road.

The meeting comes after Livonia and Farmington Hills recently rejected a Sheetz in their towns. The rejections came as residents complained about traffic, noise and light pollution.

The Farmington Hills location was planned for the intersection of 12 Mile and Middlebelt Road, but council members rejected those plans and encouraged developers to seek areas closer to Interstate 696 exits.

"This unanimous decision by the Farmington Hills City Council is a victory for local residents, small businesses, and community-driven development," said Faye Nemer, CEO of the MENA American Chamber of Commerce. "We hope this serves as a precedent for other municipalities to prioritize the well-being of their residents and local economies over corporate expansion that offers minimal local benefits."

There were also plans for a Rochester Hills/Troy store, but they fell through, along with a proposal in Fraser that faced significant pushback.

Sheetz opened its first Michigan location in Romulus last summer. The store has plans to open locations in Macomb, Taylor and Warren. Overall, Sheetz plans to open 60-80 gas stations across Michigan, with most of the stores in the metro Detroit area within the next five to six years.

At those spots, the convenience store plans to offer its award-winning Made-to-Order menu, which allows local residents, or "Sheetz Freakz" to order any of Sheetz’s customized drinks or food items around the clock.