Stop & Shop poised to build gas station after long road to approval

A defunct Mobil gas station at the corner of Villa Avenue and Tunxis Hill Road has been demolished, paving the way for new Stop & Shop gas station at the site. The supermarket giant's plans are currently being reviewed by the town Building Department in preparation for the issuance of a building permit.

The gas station that formerly stood on the site had a convenience store and service bays.

The station's previous owner had successfully opposed a plan by Stop & Shop to open a gas station on its own property across the street several years ago. After that application was denied in 2005, a bank office was built on that site, which stands within the parking lot of Stop & Shop's complex.

The Town Plan and Zoning Commission gave unanimous approval to the latest plan for Stop & Shop's gas station in April.

The station will offer per gallon discounts on gas prices based on Stop & Shop shoppers' purchases at the grocery store. For every 100 points, shoppers can get 10 cents off the price of a gallon of gas.

The discounts are available at Stop & Shop gas stations as well as participating Shell gas stations.

The new project calls for a five-bay station with 10 pumps and a 116-square-foot cashier kiosk that would also house restrooms. A canopy over the pumps is planned. Access to the station will be via driveways on both Tunxis Hill and Villa Avenue, although an existing driveway closest to the intersection will be eliminated.

Opposition to the new gas station during the public hearing came from two other owners of nearby gas station.

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