The abandoned gas station at 307 Main Street may be restored and open for business again if one Wareham resident gets his way.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing next month to consider a petition from Ossama Mohamed to reestablish the use of the gas station.

According to Town Planner Kenneth Buckland, a property is officially considered abandoned locally and by the state after it has remained vacant for two years.

Gas stations are not permitted under any zoning district in Wareham because of a town meeting decision. Pre-existing gas stations are protected, but since the time of protection lapsed while the gas station on Main Street was vacant, Mohamed will need a use variance since a gas station is not an allowed use.

In order for this abandoned gas station at 307 Main Street to become a gas station again, the Zoning Board has to give a use variance to Mohamed.

A use variance is a “very special exception,” Buckland said. Deciding factors on whether to grant a use variance are the condition of property and whether there is hardship created by the specific circumstances. Another stipulation is that granting variants must be unusual.

“It’s a difficult hurdle to get over,” Buckland said. “It doesn’t happen often.”

Mohamed currently owns the property and has paid taxes on it for more than two years. He has maintained the property, fixing the concrete and potholes at the gas station.

Mohamed, who also owns Sam’s Gas at 274 Marion Road, said he wanted to reopen the gas station several years ago but was told to wait. Main Street was undergoing a “streetscape” beautification process at the time and Mohamed said the town told him to open the gas station after it was finished. When Mohamed decided to begin the process of reopening the gas station, he was told it is now considered abandoned.

“It’s in their hands,” Mohamed said. “I didn’t get notice about losing time to reopen it. People told me I’m ignorant of the law, but I’m a businessman, not a lawyer.”

The public hearing will be held on July 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 320 of the Wareham Multi-Service Center, 48 Marion Road.