Hazelwod BP Will Not Reopen As A Gas Station

A Hazelwood gas station owner was looking to reopen, but has realized a few hurdles in its path are too expensive to embark upon. Instead Harinder Singh will lease the property, formerly know as Hazelwood BP, located at 7000 North Hanley Rd. It will continue as a small repair facility.

New Tenants

Ghassan Ayesh approached Hazelwood City Council at it February 6 meetings representing Hamlan Hot Stone, LLC and asking for a special land use permit for the property. He said his intent is to operate a vehicle service and repair facility at the location.

"I will operate a minor mechanical repair shop on Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.," he said. 

No vehicle painting would be performed at the location. Hazelwood City Councilman Bob Aubuchon made sure Ayesh knew vehicles cannot be stored on site for more than 30 days. 

Hazelwood's Plan Commission unanimously recommended council approve the permit. The commission has a few stipulations that include: ensuring vehicles being repaired cannot remain on the property for more than a 30 day period, vehicles must be parked in a designated parking space, and vehicles without current license plates cannot be parked on the lot.

History on the Property, Past Attempts to Reopen

Singh approached Hazelwood City Council back in October of 2012 about being the owner of the service station, that at one point, was a full-service gas station where minor auto repairs also occurred. Once the gas station closed, repairs were still performed.

In October, Singh found out when reapplying for the special land use permit for the property that current Hazelwood regulations require a new special land use permit since the station has been closed for more than six months. A law passed in the spring requires permits stagnant six months or longer without the business opening to restart the application process.

Because of this, Singh was concerned he would not be able to meet the Department of Natural Resources’ requirements regarding the gas storage tanks if he was required to go through Hazelwood’s process.

Singh said the business originally closed because he was leasing the property and the tenant was evicted for failure to pay rent. He stated the special land use permit lapsed during the lengthy eviction process.