Sheetz Proposes New Location on Chagrin Boulevard to Beachwood City Council
Sheetz Inc. is seeking approval from the Beachwood City Council for a new location on Chagrin Boulevard. The proposal involves rezoning a 1.8-acre site at 24700 Chagrin Blvd., currently an office building, for a gas station, convenience store, and restaurant. Former Beachwood law director Diane Calta is advocating for Sheetz during the proposal presentation.
Details of the Proposal
The location is situated at the intersection of Chagrin Boulevard and Commerce Park Road. Calta emphasized that the rezoning is required to install fuel pumps, as the other facilities can operate under the existing zoning regulations.
Site Development Plans
Sheetz plans to construct a 6,000-square-foot building after demolishing the existing structure. The new site will feature:
- 16 fuel pumps arranged in four rows
- 34 indoor and 16 outdoor seating spaces
- Modern security features, including 40 monitored cameras
Calta indicated that the construction would take approximately six to eight months, creating around 36 jobs, both full-time and part-time.
Current Site Status
The existing office building, erected in 1966, is now nearly vacant at 95%. According to Robert Abramovich, vice president of the property’s ownership group, the building is outdated, with poor utilities and low ceiling heights. He highlighted that over 130,000 square feet of office space is vacant nearby, contributing to a challenging rental market for office buildings in the area.
Community Benefits and Security Measures
A representative for Sheetz, Ellen Celli, explained that the 24-hour operation will cater specifically to the needs of local employees, including those at Ahuja Medical Center. Sheetz aims to provide both convenience and made-to-order foods to the community.
In response to Councilman Alec Isaacson’s concerns, Celli addressed security issues. She noted that employees are trained in de-escalation and can connect with internal security if problems arise. Other stores have faced high rates of police interactions, with Celli citing a nearby location that had as many as 416 incidents over two years.
Next Steps and Community Concerns
The City Council has not yet voted on Sheetz’s rezoning request. A public hearing is scheduled for February 17. This timeline allows local residents to voice their opinions on Sheetz’s proposal to bring a new convenience store to Chagrin Boulevard.
In contrast, a separate rezoning request from Bais Avrohom, a community synagogue seeking to establish a footprint for expanded facilities, was rejected by a unanimous council vote due to traffic concerns among local residents.
Sheetz’s proposed Beachwood location represents an opportunity for both economic growth and community enhancements. As the company expands its footprint in Ohio, the outcome of this rezoning could significantly impact the local landscape.
