BUTLER TWP — Too many unanswered questions prompted the Butler Township Commissioners on Monday night to postpone voting on plans for a new shopping complex proposed for New Castle Road.

California-based developer United Growth wants to build a Dick’s Sporting Goods store, a Bob Evans restaurant and a building shared by Mattress Firm and a Starbucks Coffee shop on a 5-acre lot near the highway’s intersection with the Route 422 cloverleaf.

The commissioners said they are pleased to see the development proposed for the township. However, officials told the commissioners that the developer had not yet met all the requirements needed to gain approval, especially on how visitors will drive to and from the 61,000 square feet of retail space.

“As we see it, there’s one issue,” said Zeden Jones, United Growth vice president. “And that’s Hindman Road.”

As part of the plan as it was presented Monday, Hindman Road — a township-owned road that comes off New Castle Road at the Sheetz convenience store — would be widened to four lanes to include two left-turn lanes to get into the development. The plan also would have a second access directly off New Castle Road.

But the township’s traffic engineer, engineer and solicitor seemed to agree when zoning officer Jesse Hines said, “There are multiple things unknown yet.”

In addition to needing a solid plan about the intersection, the developer needs agreements from the affected property owners, including two properties on the other side of New Castle Road: the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Veteran’s Administration. And specifically, the developer would need an agreement from officials with the adjacent property owner, Sheetz, because the store’s parking and sign would be affected.

Jones said United Growth has been working with the officials at Sheetz, who have been planning a remodel at that location anyway.

The officials said there also are other areas that will be impacted that must be considered, including the township owned K & L Lane and the traffic pattern relating to the Butler Commons Shopping Center.

“This plan is incomplete,” said township engineer Dan Deiseroth of United Growth’s progress on the project since last month when the planning commission conditionally passed it.

But rather than reject the plan and send it back to the planning commission, the commissioners unanimously decided to request United Growth work on resolving these issues and return to the commissioners for the Jan. 19 meeting.