McCandless OKs license to sell beer, wine at new Sheetz
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McCandless council approved the transfer of a liquor license for the new Sheetz along Perry Highway to sell beer and wine after receiving assurances — in writing — the company will follow strict policies to prevent loitering and excess drinking on the property.
Council voted unanimously July 28 to approve the Altoona-based company’s request to transfer a license from a closed Pizza Hut along Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills to the new McCandless store.
Sheetz is constructing a new building across the street from its current location because there was not enough room to replace the structure with the larger stores the company typically builds.
The new location was scheduled to open on Aug. 13, according to town officials.
During a required public hearing in June for the license transfer, Sheetz officials promised to place strict controls on the sale of beer and wine and provided council with a 10-page outline of the company’s alcohol sales policy.
But council put off voting on the license transfer on July 13 because several members wanted more information about how the store will monitor and control alcohol sales.
The company complied with council’s request to provide the documents along with a signed conditional license agreement that contained additions requested by the town’s attorney.
Solicitor Gavin Robb said the agreement allows Sheetz to change its policies in the future “so long as they are consistent with changes in the law or best practices.”
However, some of the conditions added to the agreement cannot be altered.
“No matter what happens in the future, that two-drink maximum will, in fact, be binding on Sheetz so long as it operates there,” he said.
The company’s prohibition on outdoor beer and wine consumption as well as its ban on loitering “carry on no matter what future policies changes might occur,” he said.
Councilwoman Trish Cloonan asked whether other businesses will be held to the same standards.
“Will this sort of language be used for other facilities?” she asked. “If it is gas station that also has a store or a similar type thing so they will have to meet the same requirements?”
Robb said while the agreement is specific to Sheetz, council could create ordinances that apply to all future combination fuel and convenience stores.
“We certainly can take a look at that sort of requirement being applied to future, similar operations,” he said.
Council President Kim Zachary said the conditional agreement does not hold Sheetz to a higher standard than other businesses because the alcohol and loitering policies were created by the company.
“Sheetz already had that (loitering) policy in place,” she said. “But there was lack of clarity through different representations and different documents. It just wasn’t clear what they were actually going to do.”
Councilwoman Shelly Sponholz said she “appreciates that Sheetz offered a conditional license agreement that clarifies the inconsistencies in the documents that they had earlier provided to the town.”
“I believe Sheetz to be a well-run and well-respected company,” she said. “And I am confident that they will operate their new location responsibly and with consideration for their neighbors, both commercial and residential.”
While no residents commented about the Sheetz project at the meeting, the company has faced opposition from nearby residents who say the new location will increase their exposure to gasoline and diesel fumes; add more noise, light and traffic congestion; make it more dangerous for children waiting for school buses; lower nearby property values; and disturb their quality of life.
The company agreed to a number of changes for the project to address the concerns raised by residents.