The Adams Township Board of Supervisors approved a plan for a proposed Sheetz gas station and convenience store at the southeast corner of the intersection of Three Degree Road and Route 228 across from Mars Area High School at a meeting Monday night.

The board signed off on the plan 4-0. Supervisor Darryl Brandon was not present for the vote.

The site will be part of the planned Adams Corners development, and the developers hope to begin construction on the Sheetz in the spring of 2022.

The plan had been tentatively approved by the Adams Township Planning Commission on Oct. 6, pending formal permission from Butler County officials before being sent to the Adams Township Board of Supervisors.

Sheetz representatives said they had received a letter from the Butler County Planning Commission on Oct. 21, stating that they had no comments about the plan.

“One thing that differentiates this proposal from other similar proposals on 228 is access to this site is going to be off of two newly constructed public roadways that are part of a development plan that was approved by this board previously, rather than having any direct access off 228 and Three Degree Road,” said Ryan Wotus, of Goldberg, Kamin & Garvin, LLP, while presenting the plan.

The Sheetz will not sell alcoholic products immediately when opened, but Sheetz representatives indicated at the meeting they would be interested in pursuing a license in the future if possible, subject to all regulations.

Public comment

Adams resident Rob Crouthamel said he was concerned about the safety of pedestrian traffic in the area coming from Mars Area schools, and proposed reexamining the traffic light's timing at Route 228 and Three Degree Road.

“As anyone who has parked at one of the schools and tried to get to another for an event, the signing and crosswalks in that area leave a lot to be desired,” said Crouthamel. “While I recognize that that's not part of this plan, opening a Sheetz store on that corner is naturally going to invite a dramatic increase in pedestrian traffic across that dangerous intersection. I didn't see any provisions in the interim (before 228 is expanded) to mitigate that potential hazard.”

David Mastrostefano, engineering and permit project manager for Sheetz, proposed that a temporary crosswalk and signage across Three Degree Road would be set up to connect to the sidewalk in the interim.

“We feel that this is a way to address that comment and bring people across through a regulated crosswalk with signage,” Mastrostefano said.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Russell Ford said that he was mostly concerned with the Sheetz's status during the interim between now and when 228 will be expanded by PennDOT in the coming years.

“I would ask for you to keep an open mind, if we see something comes up from a safety standpoint in regards to the current 228 structure,” Ford said. “As long as you would be open to that, I approve.”