PETITION TO REMOVE MACOMB TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSIONERS AND PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR NEGLIGENCE AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN SHEETZ APPROVAL

To: Macomb Township Board of Trustees and Macomb Township Supervisor

We, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Macomb Township, Michigan, submit this petition in response to the troubling conduct of the Macomb Township Planning Commissioners and Planning Director with regard to the approval of the Sheetz gas station at the southeast corner of 23 Mile and North Avenue.

Grounds for Petition:

 1. Breach of Public Trust: Despite overwhelming opposition from residents, the Planning Commission and Director approved a third gas station at the same intersection—ignoring clear public input, previous comments, and significant community concerns related to traffic, congestion, safety, and environmental impact.

 2. Pattern of Disregard: This is the third gas station now approved at this intersection, representing a pattern of over-saturation that does not reflect the township’s long-term Master Plan goals or a vision of sustainable development.

 3. Conflict of Interest: The approval process raises serious ethical concerns, as commissioners and the Planning Director are alleged to have solicited sponsorships or incentives from the developer with a vested interest in Sheetz’s approval—constituting a conflict of interest and potential violations of Michigan ethics laws for public officials.

 4. Lack of Transparency: The Planning Commission failed to provide adequate notice, justification, or neutral third-party evaluation of the broader impact on surrounding homeowners, existing small businesses, and overall infrastructure. Residents were repeatedly ignored, silenced, or misled during public comment processes.

 5. Undermining Community Safety & Planning: The Planning Director and Commissioners neglected to apply reasonable zoning principles and denied requests for impact studies on noise, lighting, underground fuel storage risks, and property value depreciation—violating their duty to protect public welfare.

We Demand:

 • Immediate suspension and investigation of all Planning Commissioners and the Planning Director involved in the Sheetz approval process.

 • Reversal of any approvals tied to the Sheetz proposal until an independent ethics review is completed.

 • A publicly disclosed review of all campaign donations, sponsorships, or financial ties between township officials and Sheetz or its developers.

 • Appointment of a new, unbiased planning body that reflects the needs and voices of residents.

We, the undersigned, call upon the Macomb Township Board of Trustees to take action to restore integrity, transparency, and public trust in our township’s planning and zoning process.