WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A proposal for a new, larger Shell gas station at a busy intersection in Vicksburg cleared its first hurdle recently, as members of the Vicksburg Village Council OK’d a rezoning request.
Despite pleas from more than a dozen area residents urging denial, the request was approved unanimously. The Vicksburg Planning Commission on Feb. 9 recommended the request, albeit by a 6-3 vote.
The proposed expansion calls for a building of about 5,500 square feet.
The issue centered on rezoning a residential property at 202 E. Highway St. to commercial. The property in question is adjacent to the west of the Shell station.
Nick Zuehlke and Scott Bigelow, representing Marshall-based Walters-Dimmick Petroleum, told council members a larger store will result in a safer entrance and exit to and from the property.
Village manager Jim Mallery said the proposed project calls for relocating the brick-and-mortar building onto 202 E. Highway St., while maintaining fuel pumps on the original parcel. Mallery said the proposed expansion would address and actually improve the current parking, traffic and other problems many residents noted during public comment.
