Politics & Government
Sheetz Seeks Another Deadline Extension
The large Sheetz convenience store and gas station proposed in Palmer Township is delayed by details being worked out with PennDOT.
As another wall goes up on the framework of the new , little progress has been made on the other side of the parcel.
On the Kingston Road end of the new Northwood Center, a gravel road was set up to allow access for construction trucks to build the in the Lehigh Valley.
But when that Sheetz will arrive no one is quite certain.
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"Sheetz hasn't been approved yet," said Dave Colver, chairman of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors. "CVS should be long done before Sheetz gets going, I think."
, the developer of the Northwood Center, once again has asked the for a deadline extension.
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At a recent meeting, Solicitor Charles Bruno informed the supervisors that he received a letter from Strausser stating that Sheetz "is not quite ready to enter into an agreement" because it has not secured approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Bruno said that Sheetz had asked for an extension until Aug. 31 to work out details with PennDOT.
Despite needing that approval, Strausser is moving forward with some roadwork near the site that includes a traffic signal and an additional lane so people can turn into the Sheetz from Kingston Road.
A detour and closure of Kingston Road is expected to begin shortly so that work can be done.
This isn't the first time Sheetz has asked for an extension.
In April, developers asked for a May 31 deadline for the convenience store and gas station along Route 248. In December, the supervisors had approved the final development plans for the Sheetz.
The Sheetz would sit on 2.2 acres and include seven gas pump stations, 56 parking spaces and a 6,500-square-foot building with an indoor seating area for dining.
The new Sheetz isn't expected to be open until sometime in 2013.
When completed, the convenience store would have 30 to 40 full-time and part-time employees. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are only two other Sheetz stores in the area – MacArthur Road in Whitehall and Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem. The headquarters is in Altoona with 407 convenience stores in six states.