Residents of Lawton Valley and the surrounding Clay neighborhood—including seventeen homes directly bordering the proposed site—will be disproportionately impacted by Mirabito Energy’s plan to build a gas station and convenience store disguised as a “shopping center.” Families living adjacent to the parcel face increased traffic, noise, light pollution, and environmental risks from fuel storage and runoff. These disruptions threaten the safety, peace, and property values of a well-established residential area.

If this project moves forward under the current zoning interpretation, it sets a dangerous precedent for future development across the HC-1 district. Reclassifying fueling services as part of a “shopping center” undermines the intent of Town Code § 230-16-1a and b and opens the door to incompatible commercial uses in residentially sensitive zones. Once approved, the character of this neighborhood—and others like it—may be permanently altered.

Now is the time to act. The Town of Clay Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board are actively reviewing this proposal. Public input is critical to ensure that zoning laws are applied fairly and transparently. We urge the boards to reject this misclassification and deny approval for fueling services at 5566 State Route 31 & Lawton Road.