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A newly-designed Sheetz is coming to the township
AUSTINTOWN
Homeowners near the site of a potential new Sheetz building on North Canfield- Niles Road oppose rezoning a 100-foot agricultural area to a business area, fearing the encroachment of business into their residential zone.
Nadyne Macejko, of Lou Ida Boulevard, has concerns about noise.
“The fact that it will dissolve that part of the buffer zone and come closer to our properties, it won’t be user-friendly now. It will make it so you can’t use your own backyard because of all the noise,” Macejko said.
The Austintown Township Zoning Commission has recommended to township trustees a modified zoning proposal for the new building – a change necessary to accommodate the site size for the building, said James Sabatine Jr. of Sabatine BK Development, 1305 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman, the developer.
The plans for the Sheetz also included a vinyl fence, which the zoning commission recommended be taller, between residential areas and the business.
The rezoning would be modified to an 80-foot zone for commercial business, leaving 20 feet as an agricultural zone.
Dumpster and garbage- pickup services are another concern of Macejko’s. She said because of loud garbage services she hears from the Dunkin Donuts, next door to the proposed site, she foresees it only worsening with Sheetz.
The design plan has the dumpster as far from the residential area as possible.
Macejko also fears for not only her real-estate values, but her neighbors, as well.
She said her real-estate value is at risk of decline with the addition of more and more businesses in that area.
“When they start at the western end, it’s going to be a domino effect and go all the way down the street. It’ll make it harder for us to sell our homes,” Macejko said. “Who’s going to want to move in with business right up in your backyard?”
Sabatine said opening the Sheetz would encourage development and could increase real-estate prices.
The Sheetz will be replacing an old car wash and a former fast-food restaurant on North Canfield-Niles Road, modeling a new, brick and stone masonry building.
It will have a state-of-the-art one-car automatic car wash, indoor-outdoor seating and a drive-thru.
Sabatine said although other places have requested to go into that spot, he has taken residents around the site into consideration and chose Sheetz as the best venue for everyone.
“We figured out the best use not only for us but for the township, the county, sales-tax dollars wise, etc.,” Sabatine said. “I think it is the best use of that area and a win-win for the residents, township, county and us.”