BOARDMAN — For the second time now, the township’s zoning commission unanimously denied a proposed gas station Meijer wants to locate near a store the retailer is building on U.S. Route 224.

“I find many reasons to be against this request. They aren’t zoning reasons,” said Frank Centofanti, vice chairman of the commission.

“As far as zoning is concerned, I find the request incompatible with accepted land use,” he said.

The board Tuesday denied the request from the Michigan-based company to make 7104 and 7090 Lockwood Blvd. commercial from business and residential. Construction on the nearby store, which will have access from Lockwood Boulevard, has already begun.

The store, about a $20 million investment that will employ roughly 250 people, is expected to open next year.

The commission heard from supporters and detractors of the proposed fuel station that would also include a convenience store. Representatives from Meijer also spoke.

Speaking for Meijer, project manager Brian Smallwood, said after hearing concerns from residents, engineers developed new plans.

The company hopes to acquire another parcel to the north, demolishing a house and creating an easement to stop developmental creep. That space would act as an additional 260 feet of undeveloped buffer, Smallwood said.

“We heard it loud and clear … They were concerned about commercial creep,” said Cristman Jones, who handles real estate for Meijer. “That certainly resonates with us.”

In order to file a zone change application, property owners must give permission. In this case, Meijer provided purchase agreements from the two property owners.

Pamela Hickox, of 7104 Lockwood Blvd., said when the retailer approached her regarding the station, she and her family thought it would be a great opportunity to benefit from the economic impact.

“I think it’s all for the benefit of the community,” Hickox said.

Dannon Qutal of Boardman spoke against the proposal, saying it was too close to Mill Creek Park. He also raised the issues of traffic and the impact the station might have on the value of homes in the neighborhood.

“This location, this corner is almost in the Mill Creek Park side. This is a park setting,” he said, adding he’s not opposed to a gas station, but is against it in a residential area.

Smallwood said two traffic studies have been conducted and reviewed and approved by the state of Ohio. One study for the main store that included information for a gas station, and includes a traffic signal on Lockwood Boulevard.

Traffic issues would be addressed by the signal and were incorporated into the construction plans, Smallwood noted.

Carol Markovich of Tippecanoe Road, owns property that would be directly behind the gas station. Calling Meijer “bullies,” she said the company was aware there was a deed restriction on the property and could have opted for another location.

This was Meijer’s second time through the zone change process. The commission in January denied the proposal.

Township trustees have the final say on the zone change.