Work underway on new gas station
ATTICA TWP. — Work has begun on a new gas station at the corner of Lake Pleasant and Newark roads — again.
Land clearing has been going on at the 13-acre site owned by G M&M Properties LLC of Lapeer off and on since last year, but New Haven-based Bazco Oil Co. has been trying to develop the property since 2021.
Attica Township Zoning Administrator Jerry Fackler said that while land-clearing has begun again, it’s unlikely construction will begin before next spring. Before construction can begin, he said, an undetermined amount of contaminated soils has to be removed from the north end of the property, which was once a farm dump.
Fackler said the current plans call for a 7,000-square-foot convenience store/drive-up restaurant, similar to the CMS store near the corner of West Dryden Road and M-24 in Metamora Township. He said plans call for five diesel pumps, 10 gas pumps and 14 electric charging stations.
He said he believes it will be a Chill Box, like the one at M-19 and 26 Mile Road in New Haven.
Bazco representatives sought special land-use approval for a truck stop including a convenience store, showers for drivers, and charging stations for electric vehicles on the B-2 General Business zoned site.
Initial site plans showed a 7,020-square-foot service center, ten fuel stations, five diesel fuel stations and dozens of parking spots for both vehicles and trucks.
The proposal triggered a firestorm of protest and packed zoning board and township board meetings.
Attica Township Planning Commission members voted 3-2 in August 2022 to reject those plans, citing citizen concerns over lighting, traffic impacts and the possibility of increased crime.
That was followed by back and forth threats of lawsuits and in December 2023 the township Zoning Board of Appeals approved a scaled down version of the project, with fewer parking spaces for commercial trucks and eliminating shower facilities.
Zoning Board of Appeals members also required 24-hour security, either video or in-person, and limited business hours. Bazco representatives did not respond to multiple emails from the Tri-City Times.
Founded in 1988 by Aly Bazzi, along with his brother Fady Bazzi and their father Ismail Bazzi, the privately-held company provides petroleum transportation and distribution services in Southeast Michigan. It sells gas under Citgo, Sunoco, Valero, BP, Marathon, and VP-Racing and operates 44 Chill Box convenience stores.
