Farmington Hills Kroger May Get Gas Pumps

Farmington Hills city officials said Monday that they want more information about a proposal to put a 5-pump gas station near the Kroger grocery store in Halsted Village Plaza, at 12 Mile and Halsted.

Company officials said the freestanding fuel station would be located in the southeast quadrant of the shopping center parking lot. Transactions would take place at the pump or at a kiosk, which would be tended by a store clerk. Kroger has a rewards system through which grocery shoppers can earn discounts on gas, so gas station customers are typically also store customers. 

A similar station recently opened near the Kroger on Eight Mile Road west of Farmington Road in Livonia.

City officials expressed concern about the fact that there is already a Shell gas station on the same corner, as well as a Speedway gas station across the street. However, planning and community development director Ed Gardiner said gas stations often cluster together. 

Council member Randy Bruce felt allowing two gas stations would be "cluttering up that corner. That (parking) lot is very busy. To me, it's an overload of that parking lot." 

City manager Steve Brock suggested that company officials come back with more information, including views of different configurations, traffic data from similar sites and a plan with fewer gas pumps. 

This issue is a real talker on Facebook. Tell us what you think by leaving a comment on this story.