Multiple Sheetz representatives came before Chardon Planning Commission April 22 for an informal discussion about the possibility of the gas station relocating to the currently-vacant spot across the street where Rite-Aid had been.
Multiple Sheetz representatives came before Chardon Planning Commission April 22 for an informal discussion about the possibility of the gas station relocating to the currently-vacant spot across the street where Rite-Aid had been.
The property, at 501 Water Street, would require the gas station to obtain a use variance due to changes to the city’s zoning code, Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney explained.
Attorney Diane Calta, Sheetz’s land development counsel, described the circumstances as unique.
“We all know there’s an existing Sheetz facility. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Sheetz has a program where … between every 10-15 years, the stores are completely redone,” she said.
And by “redone,” they do not mean simple renovations, Calta said.
“The tanks are taken out. The pumps are taken out,” she said. “The buildings are completely leveled and everything is reconstructed.”
Chardon’s Sheetz is currently under consideration for such an overhaul, she said, adding the property across the road being available puts the possibility of a move on the table.
“We’re looking at it for a new Sheetz facility,” she said.
Owen Wolf, a site selector for Sheetz, pointed out some challenges with the current location.
“The existing site we’re on is significantly smaller in terms of square footage and acreage than the proposed site across the street,” he said. “We’re kind of pigeonholed with our ability to re-invest in our current location as our brand has matured and our offering has expanded.”
Customer feedback has shown people value Sheetz’s wider drive aisles and wider parking stalls, which the current store does not have the ability to cater to, he said, adding even without the move, the current store needs updating.
“We would love to reinvest to the best of our ability at our current site, but it would not be what we’re able to propose here,” he said.
The new location would include a convenience store, drive-through, made-to-order offerings via Sheetz’s cafe and 12 fuel pumps, Calta said.
There are five parcels in the area that would need to be redeveloped, said Kevin Drozen, a design consultant with MS Consultants.
“We would go as far west as (Chardon Square Auto and Tire,)” he said. “The Rite-Aid property and that parking lot would have to be expanded for the Sheetz.”
The old Sheetz would be torn down with the new one in operation, he said.
When an existing facility is closed, the canopy is removed, building debranded and underground tanks removed, Wolf said, adding the decommissioned convenience store would remain standing as it belongs to the current landowner.
The area of the former gas station would be landscaped, Yaney added.
