The Muskegon City Planning Commission on Nov. 13 unanimously approved a special use permit allowing a gas station and car wash expansion at 2021 Marquette Avenue, the site of the existing Sunny Mart. The permit authorizes an 8-pump station with a single canopy, a storage tank south of the existing car wash, and a 1,920-square-foot addition to the current 2,700-square-foot convenience store.

Planning Department staff told commissioners the properties at 2021 and 2033 Marquette will be combined for the project and that the engineering department is negotiating curb-cut adjustments to meet the city's 25-foot setback standard from intersections. "They met last week," staff said, and engineering "did feel like that was a little too close to the intersection for that large of a curb cut, so they are willing to work on that with us." Staff asked that final site-plan approval be delegated to staff pending those engineering discussions.

Matthew Schwalenberg, representing the applicant and Spicer Group, introduced the application and offered to answer technical questions. "I'm with Spicer Group. We're representing the applicant," Schwalenberg said. He indicated EV charging was not part of the applicant's current design discussions and that he would need to consult the owner about accommodating charging infrastructure.

Commissioners asked for stronger year-round screening between the site and adjacent residences. The planning department said the submitted landscaping sheet shows deciduous trees on the property's southwest corner; the commission added a condition requiring the landscaping plan be updated to include a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees to provide winter screening. Other conditions the commission approved require the applicant to obtain a stormwater permit from the engineering department and to submit an updated site plan reflecting modified curb cuts for planning-department approval.

Planning staff also confirmed the alley to the south of the property is a city alley and noted it "will need some attention" for the project to be successful.

Commissioner (mover, unidentified) moved approval "based on the findings and facts and the exercise in the staff report" with the three conditions; another commissioner seconded the motion. On roll call, Commissioners Willette LaRoy, Johnson, Montgomery Keast, Saif, Gowran, Mazaed, Blake and Simmons each voted yes and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will finalize the site plan with engineering, issue any required stormwater permit, and confirm the updated landscaping plan before building permits proceed.