The Antis Township supervisors recently approved a liquor license transfer to the Martin Oil convenience store on Pleasant Valley Boulevard.

The license to be transferred came from the former Tyrone Sandwich and Six-Pack Shop in Snyder Township, according to township Manager Doug Brown.

For the transfer to take place, the supervisors needed to approve, because the license was coming from another municipality and because the number of liquor licenses in Antis Township exceeds its quota, said Martin attorney David Pertile.

Pennsylvania law sets quotas by county, generally allowing one license per 3,000 citizens, with the quotas enforced at the municipal level, according to online sources.

With the approval, Martin would need to apply to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for permission to use the license, according to Pertile.

The company is looking to expand its offerings at the store, which has been there at the intersection of Route 865 and the boulevard for many years, Pertile said.

Nine other Martin’s General Stores have liquor licenses, and thus the company is an “experienced operator,” Pertile told the board.

The company doesn’t have a history of violations or sanctions, takes compliance with liquor law seriously and treats having the licenses as a privilege, Pertile said.

All clerks who would be selling alcohol would be trained in the liquor board’s Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP), Pertile said.

Although the purpose of obtaining the license would be for takeout and not on-site consumption, the license would require that on-site consumption be permitted, Pertile said.

Accordingly, there will be seating to accommodate that, but there will be a one-per-customer drink limit, Pertile said.

There would also be a prohibition against consuming alcohol outside the store on store property, Pertile said.

There was no public comment at the hearing.

Supervisor Brian Kustaborder abstained, because he is an employee and a board member of Martin’s.

Development plan approved

The supervisors approved a land development plan for J Rae Realty LLC to build storage units at the former site of Sassafras Cafe and a former trucking firm on the 3700 block of East Pleasant Valley Boulevard.

A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and a highway occupancy permit have been lined up for the project, according to engineer Adam Long of Keller Engineers.

The township Planning Commission had recommended the plan be approved by the supervisors.

The plan satisfies all the requirements of township consulting engineer Chris Dutrow of Stiffler McGraw & Associates, Dutrow said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.