Centerville puts the brakes on new gas stations for the next year

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — After a proposed gas station caused an uproar — and a lawsuit — the City of Centerville is putting a temporary freeze in place to prevent any new gas stations from coming anytime soon.

For the next year, the City of Centerville won’t be approving any permits that come in for new gas stations, convenience stores and small discount stores.

2 NEWS spoke with city leaders and residents about the issue, with many in favor of putting a freeze on new gas stations, saying the community already has enough.

“Ultimately, we have those businesses represented either here or in neighboring jurisdictions,” said Ian Vanness, Centerville city planner.

The City of Centerville is in its first phase of its “Centerville Forward” planning process, to envision what the community should look like in the next 15-20 years.

Vanness says it’s the perfect time for this moratorium to take effect.

“It’s just pushing the pause button, taking a freeze for a year while we reevaluate what our policies are. It’s not indefinite,” said Vanness.

The latest proposed gas station was the Sheetz slated for the Elsa’s location on Far Hills Avenue . After pushback from local organizations and residents, the city rejected the plans. Sheetz then filed a lawsuit that’s now pending against several groups including the city.

“That was an impetus for us really taking a hard look at our commercial corridors and really try to engage the community to see, what do they want to see these corridors look like,” said Vanness.

And some people who live in Centerville say they’re all for the moratorium.

“I’m for it,” said Sue, a Centerville resident. “I’m for banning it, because we have a glutton of gas stations in the community anyway. Every corner you go to, you see them.”

The City of Centerville wants the community involved in its planning process. They have a survey available online where residents can voice what they want to see change or stay the same in the city.

The survey is available through the end of August. Click here to access the survey.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.