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Al Will, Vice President of the Sleepy Lake subdivision’s homeowners association, said the operation of a 24-hour convenience store would heavily impact the community’s quality of life, citing various concerns, including depreciation of property values, traffic, and the potential rise in crime.
“Specifically, the Planning Commission must consider the nuisance to adjacent neighborhoods and the impact on the quality of life of a 24-hour convenience store selling gasoline,” Will said.
Ed Hovenstine, Shamokin Dam borough manager, confirmed that the Maryland-based convenience store and gas station chain had the necessary approvals and a building permit in place, but recently put the project on hold. "They had a building permit but they never picked it up," Hovenstine said.
Hovenstine said Royal Farms had two other central Pennsylvania locations planned which they also put on hold. "I was told they expanded too quickly south and they aren't comfortable building new ones," Hovenstine said.
Demolition of the former motel wrapped up last week. Hovenstine said the buildings on the 3.4-acre lot have been knocked down and crews are now cleaning up the debris. The former Phillips Motel at 2943 North Susquehanna Trailer had been closed since 2015 after 52 years of business.
Hovenstine said Royal Farms is looking into the possibility of marketing the property to another buyer. "If a new buyer comes in, they have to start the planning process over again," Hovenstine said. He added he's received a few phone calls about the property, but it's mostly just people fishing.
The former motel property is owned by Royal Farms and Susquehanna Trail, LLC, which is part of ARLS Properties, LLC out of Baltimore, Maryland. Royal Farms currently has more than 200 stores in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The company's headquarters is in Baltimore and they are known for their fried chicken.
"We're hoping someone will move into the property," Hovenstine said.
The only solution they are seeking seems to be more police patrol???
An inconvenient truth: Neighbors look for ways to thwart proposed store – Coastal Observer - South Carolina
https://coastalobserver.com/an-inconvenient-truth-neighbors-look-for-ways-to-thwart-proposed-store/
https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/local/article_5488db17-ecb2-5d0c-b9e5-6620a6486e5f.html
Limits on signs - The developer requested seven variances from zoning regulations, but two having to do with signs were denied. Those denials mean the development may not move forward, said Royal Farms Director of Real Estate Jeff Bainbridge. “There’s no way we can market effectively with a sign that adheres to the code you have,” Bainbridge told the Straban Township Zoning Hearing Board Tuesday. “We’d be at a dramatic disadvantage so much that we would not move forward with the store.”
Sussex County also has a sign regulation for AR-1, which limits it to one 32-square feet sign per building.
It looks like this store is now open for business???