Politics & Government
7-Eleven Hearing Will Continue Next Month
Traffic will be key issue in the board's decision
A hearing on a proposal to build a 24-hour 7-Eleven at one of the township’s busiest intersections will continue next month before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
At the Aug. 6 meeting, the board will hear testimony on the issue that may decide the fate of the plan — traffic.
The 7-Eleven is proposed for the southwestern corner of East Main Street and Finderne Avenue next to McCarthy’s restaurant and across Finderne Avenue from Burger King.
According to plans submitted to the township, the plans call for the current building on the site — which used to house an auto repair business — to be demolished and replaced with a one-story, 3,005-square foot building. The retail space of the store will be 1,995 square feet.
The property on the corner also has a building that used to contain a check-cashing service and a Meineke Muffler shop. That building will remain but no tenants have yet to be found.
”This is an island in a sea of traffic,” Board Member Roger Pearly said.
The plan, Board Member Evans Humenick said, is “a real tight squeeze. There’s a lot going on.”
One of the board’s concerns is the driveway onto East Main Street. Left turns onto Main Street will be allowed, meaning that exiting vehicles may have to cross three lanes of traffic.
Project engineer Robert Freud said that 7-Eleven has been working with county planners on the traffic flow because both Finderne Avenue and East Main Street are county roads. Freud said the county has no objections to the proposal.
Board members also suggested that the applicant consider having only one driveway on the Finderne Avenue side to serve both the 7-Eleven and whatever businesses will be in the other building.
Board members also proposed that a traffic lane at the south side of the property next to a residential lot be eliminated so more buffering could be installed.
Township zoning and planning officials suggested that some proposed parking spaces be eliminated so more landscaping could be installed. 7-Eleven had proposed 18 [parking spaces when the township ordinance requires only 12.
Freud, who said 7-Eleven will schedule the deliveries in a 12-hour window, added the tractor trailer will enter from Finderne Avenue then exit by turning left onto East Main Street
Freud also said the property will have two free-standing signs, one on Finderne Avenue and one on East Main Street. The Finderne Avenue sign will be larger because the street has more traffic flow, he said.
Jason Tuvel, attorney for 7-Eleven, said the chain store is “doing a little more than 7-Eleven usually does” in investing in the site because it’s at a prominent intersection. He said the store will sport awnings.
