Toledo City Council’s rejection of a Sheetz service station on Bernath Parkway was shortsighted and reveals a disturbing lack of respect for the legal rights of zoning applicants.
Council voted on Wednesday 6-5 to oppose the special use permit sought by Sheetz to replace a small shopping center on Airport Highway at Bernath Parkway.
The shopping center has an apartment complex to the rear and condominiums to the west side. Across Airport and on the east side are commercial uses. Airport Highway is obviously a thoroughly commercial thoroughfare and should be administered as such.
It’s understandable that condo neighbors nearby would like to retain the quiet little South Village Square Shopping Center that would be demolished. However, the owner wants to sell to Sheetz and the neighbors don’t control that decision.
The neighbors know they live very close to a heavily traveled commercial strip. It’s a commercial strip that the city of Toledo must be protective and vigilant about.