LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — The site of an old Fulton Bank at Saucon Valley Square is set to be demolished and replaced by a new Sheetz convenience store.
The Sheetz off Route 378 will consist of a 6,139-square-foot store with drive-thru and 12 fueling stations, according to designs approved by township officials Wednesday.
Lower Saucon Council’s motion on the preliminary/final land development plans passed 4-0. Councilman Thomas Carocci was absent.
“I look forward to having Sheetz as a business in our community."Lower Saucon Township Councilwoman Victoria Opthof-Cordaro
“I hope that this moves forward, just as the project in Hellertown did,” Councilman Jason Banonis said before the vote, referencing plans for a Main Street store in the neighboring borough that got initial approval in recent weeks.
Councilwoman Victoria Opthof-Cordaro, as the liaison to the township Planning Commission, said planners have had “many thoughtful discussions” on how the developer can best make use of the land in question.
“I look forward to having Sheetz as a business in our community,” Opthof-Cordaro said.
A permitted use
A gas station is a permitted use at the referenced location within the General Business and Carbonate Geology Overlay districts.
No new entrances from Route 378 to the site are proposed.
Blake Marles, attorney with firm Stevens & Lee representing the developer, said his client envisions taking a piece of the current “sea of macadam” and “redefining” it.
“We’ve been at this project for the better part of two years for several reasons, one of which is that we’re putting gas tanks in the area, which obviously has to be very cautiously handled."Attorney Blake Marles, of Stevens & Lee firm, representing the developer
“We’ve been at this project for the better part of two years for several reasons, one of which is that we’re putting gas tanks in the area, which obviously has to be very cautiously handled,” Marles said.
Developers appeared before the Planning Commission and got plan approval on May 23.
Council President Priscilla deLeon asked about the historic “barn features” within the Fulton Bank slated for demolition as part of the plan.
Barles said the developers could take a look and see if those features are salvageable.
'A very worthwhile project'
Township resident Dave Boulin said the new Sheetz made for “a very worthwhile project” in his eyes.
“Yes, it’s very near where I live,” Boulin said.
“Yes, there’s going to be a lot more traffic — but I’m not against it, I’m for it. … You see several [Sheetz stores] up and down 412; they’re great additions.”
