Provco Pineville Acquisitions will face opposition from the township when it goes before the zoning hearing board seeking variances to build a Wawa at Lower Silver Lake Road and the Newtown Bypass.

 

On a motion put forward by Supervisor Kyle Davis and seconded by Chairman Phil Calabro, the board of supervisors voted unanimously to send its solicitor to the May 6 zoning hearing board meeting to oppose the zoning relief.

 

The Provco Group, a commercial real estate agency based in Villanova and the equitable owner of the property, is seeking to build a 5,585 square foot Wawa with gas pumps on a 4.9 acre site across from Crossing Community Church at Lower Silver Lake Road and the Bypass.

 

Provco is seeking relief for the number of fueling dispensers allowed and the location, type and number of signs permitted under the township’s E30 ordinance.

 

In particular, Provco is seeking relief for eight fueling dispensers on 4.9 acres where six are permitted by right and seven would require at least five acres. Provco is arguing the seventh would require only de minimis relief and should be granted and that eight dispenser would create better traffic flow through the site.

 

Provco also is requesting electronic message signage to display fuel prices, which the supervisors are unanimously opposing.

 

“I’m opposed to seven or eight dispensers,” said Supervisor John Mack. “Like I said before, give them seven and they want eight. I want to stick to our guns on what the E30 ordinance says - de minimis or not de minimis.”

 

Mack said he’s also opposed to electronic messaging boards, arguing it’s not something that’s permitted anywhere in the jointure.

 

While opposing the variances, the supervisors are not opposing a special exception request by Provco to build a Wawa in the township’s office research zone.