Howland revokes permit for gas station at Sam's Club

The developer can apply for a variance.
HOWLAND -- The zoning permit for a new gas station, expected to be constructed on state Route 46 as part of a planned Sam's Club development, has been revoked because of an administrative error.
The gas station is the only part of the controversial development that is in Howland Township. Most of the project, including the superstore and apartments, would be located west of the gas station, across the Warren city line.
Warren has not yet issued a building permit for the superstore, which is expected to be 133,000 square feet.
The building will be less than a half mile from a Sam's Club in Niles, on property developed by Cafaro Co. That store is expected to close when the new one opens.
Howland Zoning Inspector Gordon McLean said he revoked developer DeBartolo Corp.'s permit for the gas station because it did not meet the minimum square-foot requirement called for in the zoning text.
Plans call for a 700-square-foot gas station building, McLean said. Zoning regulations require buildings to be a minimum of 1,200 square feet in commercial areas.
He said he just noticed the conflict.
The developer can appeal to the board of zoning appeals for a variance, said Trustee Rick Clark.