Sheetz set to move forward

Final site plan for new store at I-90 and Route 528 interchange gets the green light

Madison Village Planning Commission has approved the final site plan for a new Sheetz store that will be built just north of the Interstate 90 and Route 528 interchange.

The four panel members in attendance voted unanimously in favor of the plan this week. Commission member Sam Britton, who also is the village mayor, was granted an excused absence from the session.

Sheetz intends to construct a convenience store encompassing about 6,800 square feet, with an enhanced seating area and drivethrough, on the west side of River Street, also known as Route 528.

Specifically, the store will be situated on land between the village water tower and Water Tower Drive. The front side of that property is now occupied by Pizza Roto.

This new Sheetz store also will have the ability to fuel 12 vehicles at one time and offer high-flow diesel fueling, said Nick Ruffner, public relations manager for Sheetz Inc., which is based in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Sheetz’s final site plan will now go to the Lake County government for additional scrutiny.

Ruffner added that all newly constructed Sheetz locations employ about 30 to 35 people.

The Planning Commission’s action provided administrative approval of the Sheetz project for purposes such as zoning, development of a stormwater management plan and architectural review.

Sheetz’s final site plan will now go to the Lake County government for additional scrutiny. The county will review Sheetz’s plan for items such as construction practices and adherence with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In addition, Sheetz will secure building permits from Lake County.

Sheetz has become the third business in the past month to secure approval of a final site plan for a major construction project in Madison Village. On Dec. 21, the village Planning Commission gave its blessings to final site plans submitted for a Love’s Travel Stop and Great Lakes Power Products’ new world headquarters.

The new Love’s and Great Lakes Power locations both will built on property situated on River Street, bordering the southeast side of the I-90 and Route 528 interchange.

Sheetz, during the Jan. 18 Planning Commission meeting, got the go-ahead for its final site plan with the understanding that it must meet three conditions specified by village Engineer Eric Haibach.

First, Haibach noted in written comments that Sheetz must complete and submit stormwater runoff and retention calculations for the site of its future business. Those figures must be reviewed and approved by Haibach, as well as the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District.

The engineer also reminded Sheetz officials about the process that will lead to a decision on whether to allow left-hand turns out of the business’s main access drive onto River Street.

“A detailed analysis of the traffic impact study is required to determine if all traffic movements will be permitted,” Haibach wrote.

Sheetz and Love’s both paid for studies to be conducted to determine how each of their businesses would affect traffic flow and safety at their respective locations along the I-90 and Route 528 interchange.

Planning Commission Chairman Mark Vest said he and his fellow board members were concerned about the safety of motorists making left-hand turns out of Sheetz onto River Street. It was mentioned at the meeting that a McDonald’s restaurant, on the east side of River Street, is located across from where the new Sheetz is being built.

“I can live with a righthand turn out of (Sheetz’s main access drive, south onto River Street),” Vest said. “It’s difficult for me to live with a left-hand turn going northbound.”

Sheetz representatives said they believe there’s enough separation between the new Sheetz and McDonald’s access drives that motorists can make safe turns out of each business’s parking lot.

Haibach will review the traffic impact study and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission about turning directions for outbound traffic from Sheetz.

“If the developer disagrees (with the engineer’s recommendation), they will have to meet with the Planning Commission to resolve that contingency,” Bailey said on Jan. 19.

The third and final condition for Sheetz is agreeing to help pay for signalization of the I-90 and Route 528 interchange. Love’s was issued the same mandate when it received approval of its final site plan.

“An agreement must be entered into prior to granting occupancy for the new development,” Haibach wrote.

After the commission approved the final site plan, Vest conveyed his gratitude to Sheetz officials for helping to bolster the community’s economy.

“Thank you gentlemen, very much, for bringing your business to Madison Village,” he said. “We look forward to getting this thing in and running.”

It’s anticipated that ground will be broken for construction of the Sheetz store in spring of 2022. Bailey said the company needs more time to resolve wetlands delineation issues on the property.

Since the new Sheetz will be located in the village’s Water Tower Incentive District, the company will be eligible to apply for a tax abatement on the increase in valuation it creates on the property. The 15-year tax abatement consists of 75 percent for the first 10 years, and 5 percent for years 11 through 15.

No decision has been made yet about relocating the Pizza Roto restaurant now located on the Madison Village property that eventually will be occupied entirely by Sheetz.

“It’s kind of up in the air right now,” Pizza Roto owner Dan DeRubertis said on Jan. 19.

“We’d like to (secure another location in Madison), but we’d really like to find someone else to be the owner and operator.”