A chain of gas stations and convenience stores looking to expand wants to open a second Seymour location on U.S. 50 West.

Casey’s General Store has received approval from the city’s plan commission to build the 4,300-square-foot store and fueling center on a vacant lot in the 600 block of West Tipton Street and Pine Street in between Hildreth’s Liquor Mart and Apple Auto Sales.

The property, which is less than an acre, is owned by Willard and Linda Hackman.

As part of the project, the plan commission voted 6-2 last week with three members absent to vacate a 16-foot alley running to the west of the property that separates it from the used car lot.

Seymour City Council was scheduled to vote on the request Monday night.

Mathias Smith with Casey’s Marketing Co. said the alley is needed in order to make the property more accessible and safer for traffic, especially vehicles pulling up to one of the planned six gas islands.

“If we don’t have the alley, we don’t have enough room,” Smith told board members.

Building Commissioner Jeremy Gray said the alley gets very little use these days, but Tom Fenton, who owns Apple Auto Sales, disagreed.

Fenton attended last week’s meeting and said vacating the alley hinders access to his property.

“I use that alley every day, and I hate to lose it,” Fenton said. “It’s a main way to park cars on my lot.”

The company made an offer to purchase part of the car lot but was unable to make a deal with Fenton, Smith said.

If the city council denies the request, Smith said it’s unlikely Casey’s will proceed with the project.

Commissioners Mark Hays and Rick Schleibaum cast the opposing votes last Thursday.

Based in Ankeny, Iowa, Casey’s General Stores operates more than 1,900 stores in 14 states and continues to grow in existing and new markets.

The company currently operates a site at 400 N. O’Brien St. in Seymour that offers a bakery and hot food, including pizza and delivery. That location opened in February 2002.

Casey’s was founded in 1959 by Don Lamberti, who named the business after his gas supplier and close friend, Kurvin C. Fish or “K.C.”