COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Residents in a northeast Columbus neighborhood are gathering signatures to fight a proposed gas station from being built behind their homes.
Earlier this month, four Columbus City Council members approved a zoning change paving the way for A Kroger-owned Turkey Hill gas station to be built.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the council members told NBC4 they believe the gas station fits well into the area near 5700 North Hamilton Road.
John Ivanic said council members Hearcel Craig, Andrew Ginther, A. Troy Miller, and Eileen Paley see the gas station as an appropriate use given the surrounding businesses, including an auto parts store and a car wash. Ivanic also pointed to concessions that Turkey Hill had promised as part of the development, including a 100-foot buffer between a convenience store and the start of residents' property.
But residents living in the subdivision known as The Preserve say that a gas station would bring excess traffic, noise, and bright lights in their neighborhood.
"This is a gas station abutting a neighborhood. That's the problem," said James Benseler, Home owner association president for The Preserve. "This is on principle something that was zoned one way. The entire neighborhood of 600-plus homes had bought into a bill of goods per se...and clearly a gas station was not part of it."
At least two council members agree. Councilwomen Priscilla Tyson and Charleta Tavares both voted against the rezoning request on January 11th. Council President Mike Mentel did not vote on the matter. Mentel's cousin, Sean Mentel served as the attorney representing the property developer.
Addressing the proposed gas station, Tavares told NBC 4 Monday, "I felt this was not appropriate for the area. It didn't have support from the community, either."
Turkey Hill spokesperson Erin Dimitriou Smith told NBC 4, "we hope we can find a middle ground. We feel like we're providing a store that would benefit the community. Our intent is to be good neighbors and work with them on finding a resolution."
The residents in The Preserve have until February 10 to gather more than 7,100 signatures of registered Columbus voters in order to put the matter up for a public vote.
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