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ROSEVILLE — An outspoken Roseville artist, known for the vibrant murals on his Utica junction studio, is trying to block a new gas station and convenience store from moving in.
Edward Stross, owner of Gonzo!! Art Studio, said a new Sheetz location wouldn’t bring anything new to the area and specifically mentioned the nearby gas stations and convenience stores that offer similar items. Stross’ studio has been on the corner of Utica Road and Gratiot Avenue since 1992.
“If they demolish Sacred Heart church, they should do it for something that would serve the community,” he said. “You know, that would benefit the community, that would bring people in. It would be a downtown. Another gas station isn’t a downtown-related business.”
Sheetz is a Pennsylvania-based gas station and convenience store chain that started making inroads in Michigan last year. Sheetz is set to take over the space currently occupied by Apple Annie’s Kitchen & Bakery and the Catholic Community of Sacred Heart church.
St. Pio of Petrelcina Catholic Church, owner of the Sacred Heart property, stated in a Facebook post that Sheetz made the best offer for the space. The post detailed the $40,000 Sacred Heart cost St. Pio annually in taxes. In addition, St. Pio had to pay to secure the vacant site. Apple Annie’s co-owner Leonard Pagano said that he was ready to retire and the offer from Sheetz came at a good time.
Stross’ attorney, Cindy Rhodes Victor, made a claim of appeal in Macomb County Circuit Court March 4. Victor states that the Roseville Planning Commission did not publish the meeting minutes from its Feb. 3, 2025, meeting, where the Sheetz site plan was approved, despite the minutes being approved at the commission’s Feb. 24 meeting. The next three Planning Commission meetings, March 3, March 17 and April 7, were canceled. The next regular meeting is slated for April 21. Unlike Roseville City Council meetings, Planning Commission meetings are not recorded on video.
On April 3, Assistant City Manager Glenn Sexton provided the Eastsider with the minutes for the Feb. 3 meeting. No one spoke up during the public comment portion of the meeting. Planning consultant Paul Urbiel and Roseville Building Director Jim Osterhout explained the Sheetz development. A Sheetz representative gave a presentation and fielded questions from commissioners. Commissioner Pamela Weeks made a motion to approve the development and Commissioner Scott Arnold seconded it. The commission approved the site plan unanimously.
The commission’s approval paved the way for the new development. No further action is needed by the Roseville City Council.
An intent to dismiss the claim of appeal was filed by Roseville City Attorney Tim Tomlinson March 11.
An amended claim of appeal was submitted March 24. The amended appeal builds off the March 4 appeal, adding accusations that the property was not properly rezoned and that it required a “special land use” approval before the site could be developed.
Victor did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
At its Jan. 23, 2024, meeting, the Roseville City Council rezoned the property from R-1, residential, to B-3, business district, following approval from the Planning Commission.
Tomlinson said the property is not subject to special land use.
“That’s the case in some cities, but it is not a special land use in our community,” Tomlinson said.
Stross said there’s a lack of communication between the city and the public about these types of projects that impact the community.
“Without the public’s knowledge, by the time the public has a chance, there’s not much they can say or do about it,” Stross said. “The big reason why I’m doing it is they need to be more transparent.”
Tomlinson said that a claim of appeal is made following the decision by a tribunal or commission. If someone is upset with the decision, they can file an appeal.
“I don’t know if he will qualify as an aggrieved party,” Tomlinson said. “He’s just a resident of the city.”
Tomlinson called the claim “an outlier,” saying Stross does not have a direct stake in how the space is developed. Tomlinson said the city is working with attorneys representing the current property owners and Sheetz.
“From a planning basis and a zoning basis, I don’t see anything where the city misstepped in any way, shape or form, which would give merit to the appeal,” Tomlinson said.
“Sheetz believes this matter was decided appropriately by the Roseville Planning Commission,” Nick Ruffner, public affairs manager for Sheetz, said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to this project continuing and for the opportunity to eventually serve customers in Roseville."
Stross said he was recently approached by someone who was interested in utilizing the Sacred Heart building as a church. He said the unnamed party would make an announcement about the project at a 1 p.m. April 19 rally against the Sheetz location.
“He is well known for his social work in the city of Detroit,” Stross said. “They raised money to build on what they were doing down there and they’ve run into roadblocks at the location. They’ve seen this, and this is such a beautiful church building right on Gratiot. It would serve their needs real well.”
He said the interested party was looking to host concerts at the space and help the area’s homeless population.
“Just like what Sacred Heart used to have,” Stross said. “They used to have all kinds of social programs.”
The artist said he is working on a painting of City Council members cheering the demolition of Sacred Heart church with blood on their hands.
“It’s a therapeutic way for me to deal with what’s going on here,” he said.
A motion to intervene was granted by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia April 7, adding three impacted parties to defend against the claim of appeal.
The new parties joining Roseville include Sheetz developers MC Development Holdings LLC and RPR Development LLC, and St. Pio. A status conference is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. June 10 in front of Toia via Zoom.
