PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Move over, Wawa and Sheetz: Rutter’s is on its way to Palmer Township.
Palmer Township supervisors on Monday granted final land development plan approval to developers behind the convenience store/gas station intended for 1280 Main St.
Current plans include a 13,267-square-foot convenience store with 14 gasoline fueling stations, four diesel fueling stations, parking for 50 passenger vehicles and additional parking for 94 tractor-trailers.
The only issue left for discussion revolved around a deferral for installing curbing along Main Street until curbing is installed along the rest of the road.
The board granted conditional preliminary approval in April, while the township Planning Commission recommended final plan approval at its July 8 meeting.
Reviewing agencies noted only minor outstanding comments, stating those issues could be addressed as a condition of final approval.
The developers already had secured waivers and deferrals related to minimum storm flow velocity, pipe sizes, drainage swales, basin freeboards, emergency spillway lining and other concerns highlighted by reviewing agencies and the local government.
Ultimately, the board granted a deferral for the curbing issue, with the team behind the project citing discussions with the state Transportation Department and the township planning commission’s recommendations.
“The basic requirement is that there's no curbing along the Main Street corridor until a time when PennDOT, Palmer Township, Tatamy and Upper Nazareth agree to a point where there should be curbing on both sides of the road,” Langan Engineering’s Shaun Haas said.
Opening in late 2026 or early '27
Some members of the board and the township manager raised concerns over the township’s ability to collect on deferrals, leading to a suggestion on including a declaration of covenants.
Palmer resident Stanley Margle III suggested the developer could be required to post security to ensure the township could collect in case of any issues.
“I would imagine it would have to be a major road reconstruction project that isn't on the metropolitan plan, probably 10 to 20 years out,” Planning Director Craig Beavers said.
He said the township has used securities for a few projects in the past.
Township Manager Robert Williams said securities were a good tool to use in certain circumstances, though as PennDOT could hold up curbing on Main Street for quite a while, it was not ideal for this particular project.
According to the developers, construction could begin as early as January, with completion at the end of 2026 or in early 2027.
