Palmer Zoning Change Could Bring Sheetz

The busy corridor may get a little busier.

The is considering a zoning amendment that would expand the size of , thus possibly bringing a Sheetz service center and convenience store to the township.

Township zoning ordinances prohibit convenience stores in general commercial zones.

The stores cannot be bigger than 4,000 square feet, Township Solicitor Charles Bruno said at Monday night's supervisors meeting.

"The developer believes the ordinance should be amended to accommodate the project's needs," Bruno said.

Strausser Enterprises wants to build a 7,000-square-foot Sheetz service center and convenience store on its proposed complex on the Route 248 corridor.

For the last two years, Strausser has planned a 6-acre complex between Northwood Avenue and Kingston Road consisting of a 13,200-square-foot CVS pharmacy, 7,200 square feet of other retail space and a bank building.

Now that the township planning commission has resolved other issues with the proposal, the Sheetz center is back on the table.

Supervisors Chairman David Colver agreed that convenience stores should be allowed in commercial zones.

"It makes sense," he said.

Bruno said the zoning changes would be considered by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Palmer Township Planning Commission.

 A public hearing before the supervisors also will eventually be held.

 In other township business: 

 * New traffic signal control and stop and yield sign ordinances were approved.

 * A resolution was approved to update an emergency operations plan. Supervisors have requested having a workshop with Fire Commissioner Delmar Grube to learn about procedures. Colver said a workshop on the first Monday in October might be ideal.

 * A resolution supporting neighboring communities for a regional skate park was approved.

 *A request for another stop sign to reduce speeding on Marc Lane was adopted.