A gas station could be opening next to the Martin’s Super Market in St. Joseph Township.
The township board of trustees on Monday reviewed a site plan for the Martin’s Gas Station proposed for 1666 Hilltop Road, the site of a former KFC. Anchor Properties is planning to tear down the KFC building and construct a new 2,600 square foot station with a total of eight fuel pumps across four pumping stations.
Trustees Monday were more concerned about the Berrien County Road Department’s management of nearby traffic than anything else. In particular, trustees were concerned about the traffic light at Hilltop and Cleveland backing up vehicles because they said its cycle is too long.
“When we approve this thing, indicate to the — or at least drop a note or something to the developer and say we’re doing this, but we hope that you’ll join with us to put some pressure on the powers that be to get the signal straightened out because it’s not going to do them any good,” one trustee said. “It’s going to hurt their business if people can’t get in and out of there.”
Township Manager Denice Cook said she would contact the Berrien County Road Department about the matter. The department just wrapped up a traffic signal replacement project in the area that should have resolved that long cycle problem by now. Department spokesperson Adri Boone told us Monday the new signals are camera-controlled, so wait times should be reduced.
Either way, township trustees Monday were inclined to approve the site plan for the new gas station. The township building official has reviewed the site plan and determined it meets local rules.
