Sheetz proposal revived

Livonia ZBA grants variance for site at 8 Mile-Newburgh

By Dan West/May 12, 2025

The once-rejected plan to build a Sheetz gas station in northwest Livonia was revived by the Livonia Zoning Board of Appeals at its meeting on May 5.  

Sheetz plans to build a new gas station and convenience store at this former Rite Aid site on Eight Mile Road, east of Newburgh Road in Livonia.

The ZBA granted a zoning variance to the gas station and convenience store chain that wants to redevelop the vacant site of a former Rite Aid Pharmacy on the southeast corner of Newburgh and Eight Mile roads. The ZBA has authority to grant zoning variances to petitioners who argue they have unique hardships in developing properties under current zoning.  

The Livonia City Council, under pressure from some residents and small business owners, denied the rezoning needed to permit the Sheetz plan in January.

With the variance, Sheetz can re-engage Livonia City Council for negotiations to pursue site plan approval. Without the variance, city sources said they expected litigation from Sheetz. This incentivizes the City Council to negotiate with Sheetz on a site plan or risk losing local control on how to develop the site to a judge in court.

The property has development challenges as it is sloped with two smaller units attached to the old pharmacy, one is next door and the other downhill. The site is surrounded by Whispering Willows Golf Course and Tin Cup Restaurant. Sheetz proposed a $10 million investment for demolition, site work, infrastructure upgrades, and new construction for a 24-hour operation. The site drew criticism from some Livonia residents and those living across Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills who were concerned about the influx of traffic to the site.  

Sheetz is looking to build several stores in Michigan but has faced opposition in several communities in Metro Detroit, including owners of independent gas stations and stores who feel Sheetz would have a competitive business advantage. They have received 18 site plan approvals so far in Metro Detroit.

Sheetz is a family-operated business that originated in Altoona, PA in 1952, and operates hundreds of locations across the country.  

The Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade organization representing more than 1,200 members and has served the business community since 1950.