Sheetz May Come To Eckley's Corner After All

In 2010, Mentor City Council voted 4-3 against letting set up a gas station at Eckley's Corner Shopping Center.

However, three of the four people who voted against it are no longer on council and Sheetz is once again trying to set up shop at 7766 Lake Shore Blvd.

Sheetz has requested a conditional use permit and the Planning Commission could vote on it as early as Jan. 26.

The first time Sheetz tried to move in, some Mentor residents who lived nearby initially opposed the idea. However, a few of these neighbors changed their mind when Sheetz offered to make compromises, including getting rid of outdoor music and adding landscaping buffers.

The new permit request notes that the families who live directly south of the property support Sheetz's request.

"There are some modifications to the plan this time around," Mentor City Manager Kenneth Filipiak said. "So I think it will be better received."

Filipiak specifically said that outdoor dining would not be permitted. Instead, Sheetz would add extra space indoors to eat. The service station would also have landscape buffers and make sure its lighting complies with city code.

City Council President Scott Marn, who voted for Sheetz last time, said the business is listening to the demands of nearby homeowners.

"They've been working with the neighborhood and adjacent properties," he said.

Council Vice President Ray Kirchner, who also voted for Sheetz, said he hopes that the unoccupied Eckley's Corner will soon have a business again.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to replace an eyesore that's been there awhile with a new building, new business and new jobs," he said.

If Planning Commission approves the permit, City Council does not need to approve it, also. However, they can vote on it if they so choose, which is what happened in 2010.

At the time, Council Members Ronald Micchia, Ed Walsh, Lou Aliberti and Carolyn Bucey voted against the permit. However, Aliberti, Walsh and Micchia are no longer on Council.

Sheetz's permit request is attached to this story as a PDF.