Kroger will be putting a gas station near the intersection of Huron Street and James L. Parkway in Ypsilanti Township.
Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com
A public hearing has been set to consider the preliminary site plan to permit the construction of a Kroger gas station at the intersection of James L. Hart Parkway and Huron Street, just south of Interstate 94 in Ypsilanti Township.
The Kroger gas station, if approved, would be next to the Tim Hortons that recently received approval to be part of the Washtenaw Business Park.
The station would be north of the Kroger store at 2010 Whittaker Road.
This is not the first time Kroger has sought approval for a gas station in the township. The planning commission approved site plans in August for a station at a property adjacent to the Kroger store at 1771 E. Michigan Ave. This station is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
Since the construction season is coming to a close soon, Township Planning Director Joe Lawson said he expects construction to begin next spring at the Huron Street and James L. Hart Parkway spot.
Lawson said Tim Hortons and Kroger agreed to split the 1.1 acre site. Tim Hortons would occupy about 1,193 square feet of the property.
Lawson said the five-island gas station will have a kiosk in the middle, but it will not be a "full-blown" convenience store.
A special conditional use permit must be issued, allowing the township to set certain conditions.
"We can put conditions on it that the ordinance doesn't state," Lawson said. "Like this one, we're probably going to ask for a pitch roof instead of a flat roof to give it more of aesthetic look."
Lawson said after the hearing takes place, the planning commission can either table, deny or approve the plan. He expects the site plan will go before the commission at its Nov. 13 meeting.
"I anticipate they'll approve it and add a few additional things," Lawson said.
Once approval is received, Kroger will then receive a detailed engineering review from the fire, building and other departments within the township, Lawson said.
Lawson said the township is in favor of development of this type.
"(We're) looking at a budding commercial corridor," he said. "I’m excited just because we’re seeing some development come back, something the residents of this township have long asked for."
The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 23 in the Civic Center Board Room at the Township Civic Center located at 7200 S. Huron River Dr.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.