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Sheetz proposes 11‑acre truck drop lot in Mechanicsburg; Planning Commission forwards waivers to supervisors
Summary
Sheetz representatives presented plans for an 11+-acre drop lot adjacent to the Mechanicsburg terminal proposing 38 trailer spaces, a guard shack, wash bay and stormwater controls; the Planning Commission forwarded multiple waivers and the final plan to the Board of Supervisors with conditions including traffic‑study compliance and consideration of a woodland buffer.
Sheetz representatives and their consultants presented a proposed 11+-acre CLI/SDS joint facility adjacent to the Mechanicsburg terminal on Texaco Road and answered questions about operations and environmental protections. Ambrose Heinz of Stevens & Lee, Eric Brinser of Rettew Associates and Jeff Eisaman of Sheetz described a drop lot with a small office, guard shack, truck wash bay, a maintenance bay for minor repairs, stormwater facilities and a 500‑foot landscaping strip between the site and nearby residences.
Mr. Brinser explained that “the plan is proposing 38 trailer spaces” and that drivers would drop trailers overnight and return the next day. Township Engineer Jonathan Robinson told the Commission that the traffic study counts 38 trips but that 18 of those trips already exist, and the applicants said no off‑site roadway improvements are required based on the study. The applicants also requested a fee in lieu of sidewalks because the parcel is in an industrial area.
Commissioners pressed the applicants on environmental and operational safeguards. Commissioner Randy Duncan asked whether the wash facility would recycle water, how stormwater temperature might affect trout downstream, and whether partially filled trucks would be stored on site; Mr. Eisaman and Mr. Brinser said the wash system will recycle water and meet Pennsylvania DEP requirements, the stormwater design uses an MRC‑based system given local limestone, and fuel vapors will be contained in double‑walled above‑ground storage tanks (planned at either 10,000 or 12,000 gallons). Officials also said basins are designed to drain and should not hold standing water.
Neighboring residents raised quality‑of‑life questions. Mark Potteiger asked whether trucks would idle overnight and whether stormwater ponds would be treated for mosquitoes; Mr. Brinser said trucks would not be idling overnight and the fence would enclose the parking area. Clarence Bouchat asked about sidewalk waivers and requested the applicant work with adjoining landowners to preserve a woodland buffer; Commissioners noted they cannot require action on land owned by another property owner but recommended the Board of Supervisors review buffer feasibility.
On a series of motions, the Planning Commission forwarded three waivers to the Board of Supervisors with recommendations for approval (preliminary plan waiver [SLDO 303]; curb radii waiver [SLDO 603.12]; and a 15 ft. basin setback waiver [SWMO 304.M]). The Commission also forwarded the Final Plan to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval subject to staff and engineering comments, emphasizing compliance with the traffic study and asking the Board to review the feasibility of a woodland buffer. The Board of Supervisors will consider the waivers and final plan at a future meeting.
