North Lebanon Township supervisors reject Sheetz sidewalk waiver request

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Citing safety concerns, the North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors on Monday unanimously denied a requested waiver of sidewalk requirements for a planned Sheetz at the intersection of State Route 72 and Long Lane.

Among other waivers (which were approved) were requests by Sheetz to forego curbing and sidewalks both along Route 72 and Long Lane. Supervisors said they did not need to install sidewalks along Long Lane, but needed to install curbing along both roads and sidewalks along the state road.

A Sheetz representative said developers worried that installing sidewalks would encourage walkers along the state road, with fast traffic potentially posing a safety risk.

Supervisor Gary Heisey responded that pedestrians — in particular, children — already walk along the road, and said he expects a Sheetz location will exacerbate the problem. He said kids walking along a sidewalk is preferable to kids walking along the road’s shoulder, or in uneven grass.

“I won’t agree to a plan without sidewalks,” said Heisey.

The board unanimously agreed to approve other waivers based on the recommendation of the township engineer. Several concern stormwater management due to existing conditions and plans for a swale, and others address conflicts between PennDOT requirements and township ordinances concerning the restricted exit/entrance.

Supervisors did not approve the plan Monday, as it is not yet ready for a vote. However, plans show a 6,139-square-foot Sheetz location to include gas pumps and a drive-through — set to be the first Sheetz in the county with this feature.

Read More: Sheetz plans county’s first drive-through location at Long Lane in N. Lebanon Twp.

The primary access to the Sheetz, including for trucks, will be Route 72, with both incoming and outgoing traffic limited to right turns. There will be a second exit onto Long Lane.

As the usage is allowed by right, the township cannot deny the use outright, though it can reject waiver requests if deemed to pose safety risks to residents.

Read More: What officials can and can’t do when it comes to approving land development

In other news, supervisors:

• Unanimously approved a preliminary/final plan for five storage unit buildings at 101 Old Ebenezer Road, by the split of State Route 72 into Old Ebenezer Road, as well as waivers for a preliminary plan and description of inverts of the existing sanitary sewer, as the plan does not include a sewer connection.

• Unanimously approved a payment of $147,680.35 to Flyway Excavating for work completed on the Lion’s Lake rehabilitation project, some of which will be reimbursed by the Lebanon County Consortium.
• Heard that, due to police retirement accounts being moved to the regional department, maintenance fees (of $1,035 per quarter for Conrad Siegel and $160 per quarter for Charles Schwab) weigh more heavily on the township. The township is evaluating options for the Conrad Siegel services.
• Unanimously approved the sale of items including a 2012 payloader and a skid steer sweeper through MuniciBid.
• Unanimously agreed to release the remaining escrow to the owner of North Lebanon Storage, which has finished phase 2.
• Unanimously approved reports and minutes.
• Heard police report, including that a drug dealer selling meth, heroine and crack cocaine in the community has been arrested.

North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.