Development of a new gas station and convenience store proposed for a property that’s been vacant for nearly a decade can move forward following action by State College Borough Council on Monday night.
Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a motor vehicle oriented business at 605 University Drive, the site of the former Greg’s Sunoco.
Local businessman Resham Dadra applied for the permit and a public hearing was held in February. While the name of the fueling station and convenience store has not been disclosed, a site plan displayed the logo for APlus, Sunoco’s convenience store chain, in one of the store windows.
Dadra’s plans for the property include converting the service garage into a convenience store with new siding, windows and doors, ADA parking upgrades, bicycle racks and updated site lighting and signage, along with fuel pumps. Site plans submitted to the borough show the interior of the convenience store would include a kitchen area.
“There will not be a drive-up window,” project architect Albert Drobka said in February. “There will be food sales but they’ll all be inside, almost similar to Sheetz.”
At the request of council, one condition attached to the permit is the addition of electric vehicle charging stations.
Dadra will be required to submit a traffic impact study, or a letter from a traffic engineer indicating minimal change or low impact if seeking an exemption. Either would require review from a borough traffic engineer.
Other conditions include written verification from the state Department of Environmental Protection that the existing fuel tanks are acceptable for use, landscaping improvements and a decorative wall, fence or hedge along sidewalks to prevent improper access to the site. All exterior lighting also must be brought into compliance with
Motor-vehicle-oriented businesses are a permitted conditional use in the Planned Commercial district where the property is located, but when a business is vacated and its permit is not utilized for one year, the permit expires and a new one must be obtained.
Greg’s Sunoco closed in 2014 after its former owner, Greg Palazzari, pleaded guilty to his role in a cocaine ring. The 36,000-square-foot property was seized by the state attorney general’s office, which said the gas station was a front for the drug operation.
It was sold at auction in 2015 to Welteroth Property Group, which continues to own the property and submitted a letter to the borough supporting Dadra’s plans.
