Love’s Travel Stops exploring Genesee County location, but faces challenges

FENTON TWP, MI – An Oklahoma-based travel center is eyeing a stretch along US-23 in Genesee County for a potential future development.

However, the development faces an uphill climb in the community.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has submitted a concept plan for 3383 Thompson Road off US-23 in Fenton Township.

Love’s has submitted a concept plan of a travel stop at 3383 Thompson Road for discussion with the township’s planning commission.

The plan includes 28 acres of property that’d include nearly 200 parking spaces for a store, attached restaurant, tire shop, and more than a dozen fueling bays encompassing an approximate total of 15,700 square feet.

But Michael Deem, township zoning administrator, pointed out it doesn’t constitute a formal site plan.

“We don’t have an official application,” he said, calling talk at a Jan. 22 planning commission meeting more of a “fact-finding discussion than anything else.”

Deem said there are “some challenges” with the property use for a development such as Love’s when compared to the township’s long-term plans.

Among the primary challenges is the development not being in line with the township’s master plan for the Town Center District.

Some questions raised by planning commission members included the number of trucks that may be involved with the business and the current capacity of Thompson Road.

“The goal for the south side (of Thompson Road) is more planned developments,” said Deem, with some walkability and traditional appearance, all concepts identified in the township’s master plan.

The master plan was adopted in June 2024, as well as the Thompson Road Corridor Plan in 2022 which discusses potential future uses.

“Uses targeted for the Town Center District are intended for a multi-purpose destination for residents and visitors alike. Uses include civic, retail and service, entertainment, high density residential, and public spaces,” the master plan reads. “The 2022 Thompson Road Corridor Plan recommended the creation of a Town Center District to concentrate commercial development south of the US-23 Interchange at Thompson Road.

“It has historically been considered a space for mixed uses, and funding has been secured for roadway and water service enhancements along the corridor.”

A site plan has been submitted with the township for a gas station on the north side of Thompson Road, which falls under usage for highway service in that area, Deem said.

Chad Bruner, senior director of real estate at Love’s, said the company has previously eyed the location for a possible location.

“Previously there was an issue with the traffic and MDOT,” he said, with concerns raised over increased flow in the area.

“We’ve tried several areas along that highway,” said Bruner. “Mainly comes down to the traffic that’s there. We’re still early on, kind of getting that feedback from them and will still evaluate it.”

No decisions were made at the planning commission meeting, Deem said.