The Bath Borough Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved over a dozen variances for a proposed Wawa with gasoline pumps at 202 N. Walnut St. on Thursday, Dec. 4. This decision cleared a significant hurdle for the project.
Summit Realty Advisors applied on behalf of Bath Development LLC to get thirteen variances for the 2.97-acre plot that was formerly a PNC Bank.
A one-stop shop for all your needs. In addition, the shop will be open 24/7 and said that the business intends to apply for a liquor license.
Nearby residents question about whether or not the Wawa would cause an influx of customers to Bath's northern edge. Sarah Devaney, who is within 500 feet of the site, inquired as to whether or not the development will bring more people and traffic to her neighborhood. Wawa stores are chosen to accommodate local demographics, who added that many customers are regulars at these sites.
It's planned to have six fueling islands, each with twelve pumps. Fifty parking spots, six gasoline canopies facing North Walnut Street, and reworked entry points on North Walnut Street, North Chestnut Street, and Barrall Avenue are all part of the concept. Wawa does not carry the diesel gasoline that tractor-trailer traffic requires, and the store does not accept that kind of payment.
Specifically along Barrall Avenue, the plan incorporates substantial public improvements. A left-turn lane will be created by removing on-street parking and a dedicated right-turn lane will be created from North Walnut Street onto Barrall. Other improvements include drainage repairs, new pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, and ADA renovations. The municipality had asked for a ban on trucks on Barrall Avenue in particular. It's clarified that smaller delivery vehicles would still be able to get through the restriction, since it only applied to bigger trucks.
When asked about the potential impact of automobile headlights on surrounding residences, buffers are being put in place whenever feasible. However, he did mention that driveways cannot be covered owing to restrictions in the state. A research on truck turning is now ongoing, and the results would be disclosed once they are ready. Driveway width, slope, distance from major thoroughfares, and retaining wall height were the primary points of variation. In order to ensure the safe operation of gasoline delivery trucks and three lanes of traffic, the plan calls for driveway widths of 102 feet on North Chestnut Street and 90 feet on Barrall Avenue.
The driveway entry on North Walnut Street is steeper, necessitating an 11% gradient, which is more than the 7% standard. The land has many frontages, which technically make most of the site a "front yard," where parking is usually not permitted. This is the main reason for the parking-related deviations. In addition to preserving natural space and existing trees, the design is small and fulfills Wawa's operating demands. We will meet the shade tree criteria by planting them elsewhere on the property, away from the parking area, so that visibility is not compromised.
PennDOT gave their approval to the project's traffic study on July 8. State highways will have medians included into the design to divide traffic among the three potential entry locations and limit left turns. The majority of Wawa's customers are just passing by, rather than making a special effort to visit the shop. He clarified that PennDOT has neither mandated the expansion of North Chestnut Street or the construction of any new traffic lights.
Municipality authorities stressed before discussions that the municipality would maintain its neutrality on the application subject to the applicant's compliance with all conditions mentioned in the municipal evaluation letters. The Wawa will adhere to all lighting regulations and install lights looking downwards in the parking lot.
The board declared its unanimous conclusion after a brief executive session lasting 10 minutes. The board determined that selling gasoline fits the zoning ordinance's convenience store use category, and that the applicant proved that the property's physical and geographic features made it difficult to get the necessary permits. Public health, safety, and welfare would not be negatively impacted by the deviations, and the proposed public improvements might be beneficial to the community.
In accordance with the requirements of the Municipalities Planning Code, the board instructed its attorney to complete the official written judgment, findings of fact, and conclusions of law within 45 days.
Wawa will no longer develop convenience shops without gas, referring to the company's national model and a package of exhibits that described twenty nearby convenience stores with petrol pumps.
A full-service Wawa selling groceries, packaged foods, and drinks would be the planned convenience store. A one-stop shop for all your needs!
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