Plans for Ferguson Township Wawa can move forward after variance request passes
Plans for a proposed Wawa in Ferguson Township can move forward after the majority of the township’s zoning hearing board voted in favor of a variance request.
For about an hour Tuesday evening, the Ferguson Township zoning hearing board heard testimony from Tony Fruchtl, a PennTerra engineer on the project, and Mike Spiegel, real estate project manager at Wawa, about the store, site location and variance request. They also heard from the public.
The client, Atherton Goose, LLC, requested a variance from the township’s zoning ordinance that “prohibits all structures from being located in the setback.” According to the request, a 110 square foot variance is needed for a gasoline canopy. The current building, which was formerly a car dealership, encroaches in the setback, the request states, and removal of that building will result in reducing the setback encroachment from 1,625 square feet to 110 square feet.
The plan included with the variance request shows six fuel pump stations. Bob Strouse, a zoning hearing board member, asked if reducing the fuel stations to five was a consideration, as that would bring the site into compliance.
Spiegel said a typical Wawa has about eight pumps. But because of the size and orientation of the 169 W. Aaron Dr. site, they reduced it to six pumps. Reducing it further could present a potential safety issue, he said.
“During the busy times … when people are choosing to come into our site to fill up with fuel, either on the way home or the way to work or their destination, sometimes it could cause some backups, queuing in the positions which would cause some possible safety issues if cars are sitting in line waiting for people ahead of them to finish fueling,” Spiegel said. “When we look at these sites, we try to do an analysis of what would be an optimum situation here so we can avoid having people backed up outside of the fueling positions. This site just because as tight as it is, could cause some even more significant challenges.”
During the design process, they started with a larger building and eight fuel pumps, but worked to reduce in order to optimize the site, he said.
Four residents spoke about the proposed Wawa site during public comment, three of which were opposed or wanted the board to postpone their decision.
Traffic has been a concern for many of the potential Wawa neighbors in Overlook Heights. Joy Vincent-Killian said the site is in the middle of the “most challenged, dangerous traffic areas” in Ferguson and Patton townships. She said sometimes it can take three traffic light cycles just to turn into her neighborhood. Therefore, a traffic impact study with a scope that includes Overlook Heights is vital, and asked the board to postpone their decision.
Jeff Stover, solicitor, said the board has a limited time frame for making a decision. If the board doesn’t act within 45 days of the hearing, the request is granted.
After an executive session, the board voted 2-1 to grant the variance request. Vice Chair Stevie Rocco and Strouse were in favor, Chair Susan Buda was opposed. Members Swamy Anantheswaran and Chanel Simon were not present.
Buda, who wanted to vote to postpone the decision, thanked the public for their input.
“That is a very important part of the process here and we really do appreciate that,” Buda said. “Your comments have been heard and they’re legitimate concerns that we encourage you to bring up with the board of supervisors as this progresses.”
Rocco added that the zoning hearing board’s scope is “extremely narrow” and the variance they’re tasked with is not on the traffic or the building or business. It’s only the corner of the canopy that encroaches into the setback.
Wawa still needs to submit a land development plan to the township to be reviewed by township staff and planning commission. Once submitted, the final decision will come from the Ferguson Township board of supervisors.
