HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A new Sheetz gas station is coming to Highland Township, even after several communities turned the company away.
City council members held a meeting on Monday (Feb. 3), which was packed with residents who were both for and against the new business.
Critics worried about traffic, noise, and the impact on local shops, but the township board approved Sheetz’s setting up at a former lumber yard on M-59 and Milford Road.
“We are grateful for the Highland Township Board of Trustee’s continued support and unanimous approval of our request for Special Land Use at the corner of Michigan 59 and Milford Road.
This decision reflects the board’s dedication to driving growth, attracting investment and creating good jobs for residents.We continue to hear loud and clear the overwhelming support for Sheetz across greater Detroit.
In addition to tonight’s approval, the city of Romulus continues to welcome our store with open arms and we have secured approvals for nine other locations in surrounding communities with more approved projects in the pipeline.
We look forward to continuing our work with Highland Township officials in the months ahead to provide new and innovative convenience offerings that people in this area are asking for.”
Nick Ruffner, Public Affairs Manager for Sheetz
Tuesday night, Royal Oak leaders will vote on a similar proposal.
Michigan’s first Sheetz location opened in August of 2024 in Romulus, but Livonia, Madison Heights, Waterford, and Rochester Hills voted no.
--> Livonia City Council votes down Sheetz expansion, blocking new location on 8 Mile Road
Sheetz is opening a store on M-59 and Milford Road in Highland Township and plans to open another one on Coolidge and 14 Mile Road in Royal Oak.
An owner of a gas station near the Royal Oak location said his business feeds his family and his employees and that everyone would struggle if big companies like Sheetz ran them out.
Sheetz released a statement about its experience in Metro Detroit:
“Despite a vocal minority opposing our stores, many whom have been organized by competing convenience store groups, there is overwhelming support for Sheetz locations across southeast Michigan. Romulus has welcomed us with open arms, and we have secured approvals for nine additional locations in the surrounding communities with more approved projects in the pipeline. Because we are committed to being good neighbors and want our locations to be reflective of the communities we serve, we welcome honest feedback and transparent dialogue from the public and take it seriously.
The residents of southeast Michigan deserve more choice, lower prices, and increased investment across the industry. Our competitors, and the groups they have formed to create public backlash, are intimidated by our category-leading brand. As a result, they have spread mistruths and mobilized citizens, who in some cases don’t even live in the communities we are looking to serve.
We know our supporters outnumber the opposition, and at this evening’s hearing in Highland Township, we will continue to set the record straight about our brand, highlight our offerings and share our success story. The southeast Michigan region is asking for a more competitive convenience store industry, and we are committed to this market.”
Nick Ruffner, Public Affairs Manager for Sheetz
