Popular gas station chain Sheetz to open first Lake Norman location
Sheetz, a popular Northeast convenience store chain, plans to open its first Lake Norman location at a prime intersection in Cornelius, town planning documents show.
Known for its made-to-order food and customizable coffee, the Pennsylvania-based company submitted plans to Cornelius for a 12-pump station on 2.7 acres at Westmoreland Road and Statesville Road (U.S. 21).
The station would have 35 parking spaces, plus two handicap spaces, and none for big rigs, according to the concept plan Sheetz submitted to the town.
Drivers would be able to access the station from both roads, according to the plan designed by Convenience Architecture and Design of Claysburg, Pa.
Altoona-based Sheetz has about 140 N.C. locations, primarily in the Piedmont Triad, Raleigh and Wilmington areas, according to its website. The closest to Charlotte and Lake Norman are in Salisbury, Statesville and Hickory.
In March, Sheetz submitted a plan review for a Concord location at 4830 Weddington Road to Cabarrus County for one of its 24-hour gas stations, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“We appreciate the strong interest from residents in the Charlotte area and their enthusiasm for Sheetz entering this market,” the company said at the time.
The convenience stores offer dining with mobile pickup lanes, indoor and outdoor seating, groceries, touch-free restrooms and free Wi-Fi.
A developer representing Sheetz approached the town about the convenience store and gas station proposed for 18348 Statesville Road, Cornelius Planning Director Rox Burhans told The Charlotte Observer. The project would require a conditional rezoning, he said.
“Before a rezoning application is officially submitted, we recommend applicants present the concept to the Town’s Pre-Development Review Committee,” Burhans said in an email.
That meeting with Sheetz officials was held Wednesday, June 3.
At the meeting, committee members raised concerns about tree loss, traffic, noise and lighting impacts on homes, no proposed electric vehicle charging stations and the potential for crime from a 24-hour business, Cornelius Today reported.
The committee consists of the mayor, two town commissioners, town administrators and the chairs of each of the town’s advisory boards, Burhans said.
The committee’s purpose is “to provide an opportunity for developers to share an early development concept and receive informal feedback on it,” Burhans said. “Feedback received is not an indication regarding the outcome of an official rezoning request.”
Sheetz still needs to request a rezoning recommendation from the Cornelius Planning Board and approval from the Cornelius Board of Commissioners, which has final say on rezonings.