A crew from RT Vernal Paving and Excavating of North Lima clears land on U.S. Route 224 in Boardman on Thursday for a Meijer store. Residents are worried about a gas station proposal tied to the store. Staff photo / Ashley Fox

BOARDMAN — Some residents near the site of a gas station proposed for the coming Meijer superstore voiced concerns Thursday to township trustees.

“This vote plagues us,” John Chupa told the trustees.

Citing property values, continual commotion and fumes, Chupa said the proposed gas station could “drastically” impact residents’ lifestyles.

Main access for the gas station, if approved with current plans, would be off Lockwood Boulevard and Tippecanoe Road, with the station on the west side of Lockwood.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for 4 p.m. March 23 at the township hall, 8299 Market St.

Already, a crew has started clearing trees at the store site, which is across from the Creekside Plaza.

The township’s zoning commission has denied Meijer’s proposal for the gas station. Although the zoning commission in January said no, the vote was a recommendation — and trustees will have the final say.

The chain requested a zoning change for two parcels on Lockwood Boulevard, across the street from where the store will go on U.S. Route 224. Meijer seeks to change the parcels from residential to commercial.

Chupa said “no one is in favor” of the gas station being built in a residential area.

He was among a handful of people who spoke, out of about 15 in attendance Thursday evening, expressing concerns about possible flooding.

Chupa and neighbors said they spent big money to improve their properties so that they won’t flood and are concerned that pavement at the proposed gas station will cause water runoff issues.

Chupa said he would be able see the station from his home’s deck on Tippecanoe.

The company anticipates investing about $20 million to build a 159,000-square-foot store, which will employ about 250 people. Construction is expected to begin this year, with the store opening in 2021.

afox@tribtoday.com