Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday reviewed two projects proposed by Sheetz Inc.

One project calls for the construction of a new Sheetz store, demolishing and replacing an existing store, car wash, fuel dispensers and utilities at 3315 Beale Ave. in Altoona.

The new store will be 4,996 square feet with a separate 1,114-square-foot car wash and fuel canopy with six fuel islands. The new stormwater management system will be entirely below ground.

The existing 4,661-square-foot store has been open for more than 25 years.

The City of Altoona requires 25 parking spaces; 40 will be provided.

Sheetz is requesting waivers from seven sections of Altoona’s subdivision and land development ordinance.

“Most of the waivers are small things, the biggest thing in sidewalks,” said Ryan Countryman of Stuart Consulting Group Inc.

A section of Altoona’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance requires sidewalks along the entire length of the property. For corner lots, such as the subject parcel, sidewalks shall be extended along both streets. Sheetz requests a waiver from all sidewalk requirements.

The lack of sidewalks in the proposed design is the only issue identified in this review that might affect the Alleghenies Ahead comprehensive plan.

The review did not have enough information available to recommend whether Sheetz should be required to construct sidewalks or pay a fee-in-lieu. However, code requirements and policy direction clearly require new construction to provide sidewalk infrastructure or to contribute to its construction elsewhere, Countryman said.

The review recommends that the City of Altoona should require Sheetz to follow city policy in Alleghenies Ahead. If the city grants the waiver from sidewalks, it should condition that waiver approval on Sheetz paying a fee-in-lieu to the Altoona General Sidewalk Fund, Countryman said.

Plans call for the project to begin in the late winter of 2026, with the new store building opening the next summer, said Nick Ruffner, Sheetz spokesman.

“We are certainly excited to serve our customers in that area with a new store building, featuring the same design as our newest store locations,” Ruffner said.

Meanwhile, Sheetz also plans to convert six current parking spaces into six electric vehicle charging stations at its store at 1400 Logan Ave., Tyrone.

Site work will include trenching for electrical conduits and installation of concrete pads for equipment. This underground utility work would require temporary removal of part of an existing landscaping screen and need for replanting.

Since the proposed EV charging dispensers will not alter the existing use or physical characteristics of the land, there is no impact to the immediate or surrounding existing land use, landscape, environment or transportation network. The proposed development should be able to proceed without undue adverse impact on the community and is consistent with the Alleghenies Ahead comprehensive plan, Countryman said.

The electric vehicle chargers are expected to be up and running in the first half of 2026, Ruffner said.

“These chargers are a partnership with Electrify America, who we partner with at several stores across our operating footprint. We are excited to bring these chargers online to help drivers and to provide a quick and friendly one-stop-shop,” Ruffner said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.