Council defers action on proposed Sheetz convenience store and fueling station to allow VDOT review

Town Council deferred action on a conditional rezoning and three special-use permit requests from a developer planning a Sheetz convenience store and fueling station on Ben's Church Boulevard, after staff and the applicant said they are finalizing responses to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and traffic-study comments.

The proposed project would rezone the site to Highway Retail Commercial and build a 6-pump fueling canopy, a 6,139-square-foot convenience store with a made-to-order food operation and two additional retail users, plus a separate oil/express parcel. Staff recommended deferral until the applicant resolves outstanding VDOT comments and completes the traffic impact analysis revisions.

Robin Niss of Kimberly Horn & Associates and Sheetz permitting lead Tony Caruso described the project design, site access and proposed pedestrian connections. An engineering and traffic consultant explained the team has been working with VDOT since December and submitted revised modeling and mitigation proposals; the applicants said they expect VDOT feedback in time for the September council meeting.

Questions from council covered pedestrian access, EV charging and local job creation. Sheetz said a typical store adds about 24 positions across shifts; representatives said they will pursue EV charging operators if those providers opt to install equipment on site but no chargers are planned immediately.

Council voted to defer action to the September Town Council meeting so that VDOT review and any required plan changes can be completed and presented to council.