ADAMS TWP — The township planning commission heard and approved site plans for a proposed Sheetz gas station and drive-thru at the intersection of Route 228 and Three Degree Road at a meeting on Wednesday evening.

The proposed Sheetz would be an anchor for the planned Adams Corners development located at the southeast side of the intersection. The parcel is on the opposite side as the rejected proposal for a GetGo gas station, which would have been to the northwest across from the Mars Area High School campus.

The gas station would have six multi-pump dispensers and would be able to fuel 12 vehicles at one time. The Sheetz also would include a drive-through where customers would be able to order through touchscreens and pick up their order from an external window.

The planning commission members approved the site plan pending the arrival of a Butler County planning letter. Township officials asked questions about safety and the timeline of the construction as it relates to the planned state improvements to Route 228.

“Because of the proximity of the school, we need to look at potential pedestrian traffic coming from the school across from Sheetz,” Township manager Gary Peaco said. “I'm looking ahead at what the pedestrian traffic is going to be like if approved.”

Peaco said that the PennDOT improvements are slated for 2023, but the Sheetz officials said the project is planned to be constructed in the spring of 2022 and open later in the year.

“What everyone is concerned about is that there are two schools at the corners,” said planning commission chairman Martin McKinney. “Our goal is to make it as safe as possible in the interim as well as in the end.”

After the developers formally receive permission from Butler County, the site plan will be voted on at an Adams Township Board of Supervisors meeting.