Arnold to consider proposal for gas station, convenience store on Freeport Road

Arnold Council will consider a proposal for the redevelopment of a former gas station along Freeport Road.

Mike Thakkar of Yashvi Oil said he wants to open a gas station and convenience store at 1610 Freeport Road. The property is between Woodberry Road and Warren Avenue.

The property and its blue building most recently was an auto service business, Affordable Auto Service, but no longer sold gasoline. Before that, it had been a gas station, at one point Citgo, with service bays.

Thakkar, whose business is based out of Indiana Township, said he wants to clean up the property. He said he would remodel the existing building for use as a convenience store.

“I’m not changing anything,” he said. “I’m just making it look nice.”

Thakkar said he will buy the property if the city approves his plans, which requires a conditional use approval. Arnold Council will hold a public hearing on his request at 6 p.m. March 14 at the public safety building, 601 Drey St.

At the hearing, the proposal’s site plan will be reviewed, and residents will be able to voice support or opposition, said Rick Rayburg, Arnold’s community development director. Council can place conditions on an approval, he said.

A conditional use approval is needed because although it had been a gas station, it was not a convenience store, Rayburg said.

The gas and service station was there before the city’s zoning ordinance was enacted, making it a pre-existing, non-conforming use, Rayburg said. The area is zoned boulevard commercial, which allows uses such as bars and restaurants, barber and beauty shops, banks and libraries.

Despite the zoning, another gas and service station would be allowed because one had already been there, he said.

If the city approves, Thakkar said he’d like to start work within 90 days, and it would take about four months to complete.