MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On April 27th, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow for a special permit to put a gas station at the Kroger on Marsh Rd.

The permit was met with little resistance by the commissioners, noting both the relatively large parking lot owned for Kroger, combined with the safe flow of traffic inside the strip mall.

"There's a lot of parking and land for this site," said Commissioner Dante Ianni. "The other issue is with the traffic and I think the applicant has fairly addressed his concerns."

The presentation by the Kroger officials included an online computer simulation of what the gas station would look like once it's completed. The gas station would rival the Meijer's across the street. Commissioners also discussed the possible inclusion of a stop sign to break the flow of traffic between Marsh and the strip mall.

The vote passed quickly and without controversy, allowing for the gas station to begin breaking ground in the coming months.