Residents’ complaints lead to denial of gas station

The Merrillville Town Council voted down a request by Luke Oil to build a gas station at 73rd Avenue and Whitcomb Street after dozens of nearby residents and a councilwoman voiced their opposition.

“I’m completely against the gas station going there,” said Councilwoman Margaret Uzelac, D-4th, who said she would be casting a no vote. “A lot of people have contacted me on this.”

The Board of Zoning Appeals had given the request an unfavorable recommendation after many of the same residents spoke out against having the gas station in the residential neighborhood, which includes Prairie Creek.

Luke Oil representatives did not attend Tuesday’s council meeting and requested for a continuance, but the council decided to vote on the matter anyway when it became evident the request would be denied.

Uzelac and Councilman Donald Spann, D-1st, represent wards that border on the proposed site. Spann was not at the meeting, but the five other council members present said they would also vote against the gas station/convenience store.

“We’ve always been supportive of each council member,” Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, said. “If Marge is against it, Ward 2 is against it.”

Councilman Leonard White, D-6th, said he was opposed to the gas station at that location because the people don’t want it.

Luke Oil’s proposal was to build a gas station/convenience store with five gas pumps on a currently unimproved parcel of land. All residents who spoke at the council meeting were opposed to the gas station in their residential neighborhood, citing light pollution, increased traffic and decreased property values among other reasons.

Resident Katie Brown said her property would be within 300 feet of the gas station.

“How would I sell my property?” said Brown, who added that there are already at least two gas stations nearby. “The property value will decline.”