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Residents fight proposed northwest side gas station

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Hundreds of people who live on the northwest side are fighting a proposed gas station to be built at 86th Street and Lafayette Road.

“It’s such a quiet neighborhood,” said Kevin Harrell who lives nearby. “We do not need a gas station here.”

Hundreds signed an online petition and attended a town hall meeting Tuesday night organized by city-county councilor Leroy Robinson.

“We have options,” said Robinson. “There are some steps we can take with the state and at the local level to appeal the process … we are going to look through every option available.”

Many concerns revolve around the proximity to nearby Fishback Creek.

“If there’s a spill, you’ve got Fishback Creek which feeds Eagle Creek which is our drinking water,” said Harrell.

Others are also concerned about public safety and traffic.

The city passed a moratorium on new gas stations in areas like the one at 86th Street and Lafayette Road, which are zoned C-3.

But the owner of this proposed gas station filed the paperwork before the moratorium took effect. The applications are currently under review which is part of the standard process.

City officials told residents during Tuesday’s town hall meeting that if the permits are granted, opponents could hire an attorney to file an appeal with the zoning board within 60 days.

But they said the appeal would have to include a legal reason why the permits should be denied.