The Holland City Board of Appeals voted to table a lighting variance request for a proposed Speedway/7‑Eleven at 1033 Lincoln Avenue so members can review revised lighting plans and related materials ahead of a January meeting.

Civil engineer Mandy Goss, representing the developer, said corporate safety review by 7‑Eleven/Speedway led the team to seek higher canopy light levels than the city’s 15 foot‑candle maximum. ‘‘Safety is such a big issue at gas stations... the brighter stations, I personally feel safer as a female,’’ Goss said, explaining the company’s preference for higher average canopy foot‑candles and noting the team prepared a lower second plan after comparing local stations.

Board members questioned precedent — several gas stations in the area were built before the city’s 2021 ordinance and are nonconforming — and whether the board could lawfully approve the alternative lighting plan that was produced after the packet was distributed. Members also raised technical concerns about camera performance and light uniformity; one board member said high contrasts between bright and dark spots can reduce security camera effectiveness.

Given the late submission of revised lighting drawings and outstanding ordinance questions, a motion to table the application to the January meeting passed on a roll call. The move allows staff and board members to review the updated plan, lighting measurements of nearby stations, and details about 7‑Eleven’s safety standards before any formal variance decision.

The board noted that an ordinance amendment is a separate path — the applicant may pursue changes through the Planning Commission and the city’s amendment process if the board determines the ordinance is overly restrictive for this use.