PALMER TWP., Pa. — A preliminary land development plan for the Lehigh Valley's first Rutter’s convenience store got Palmer Township Board of Supervisors' approval Monday.
After a delay from their March get-together, supervisors largely appeared satisfied with updates to the project at 1280 Main St.
Developers said they had addressed most of the standing issues raised by Palmer Assistant Planning Director Craig Beavers concerning lighting, landscaping and other small matters.
Shaun Haas of Langan Engineering and Environmental Service said the developer got approvals for the project related to sewers, water and other basic matters.
As for those “cleanup comments” which were provided by Carroll Engineering Corporation, Haas said any issues regarding lighting could be addressed during the final plan approval.
Supervisors have requested more information from a Traffic Impact Study, with which the developer agreed to comply, in addition to some small striping issues on roadways.
“There's not a lot of significant comments," Haas said. "The two that are kind of outstanding would be obtaining a [National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permit and then obtaining an [Highway Occupancy Permit] for the proposed driveway."
Remaining concerns
At least two board members harbored concern about tractor-trailers using the spot as an overnight stop, because the convenience store will be close to surrounding warehouses.
“It's supposed to be a place where truckers can stop, whether it's for a few minutes or for a few hours, to go to the bathroom, to pick something up, to eat, just to rest, get off the road," Rutter’s representative Damon Hall said,
"It's not supposed to be a staging area for deliveries or anything.”
He said the location won't have showers, a laundromat or sleeping quarters.
"That's part of the purpose of why we have so much truck parking, is we know there's an issue within the township of trucks parking where they shouldn't be. And we had the space to help alleviate that. So we're that's part of the reason why we have so much truck parking.”Rutter’s representative Brian Carter
While overnight stays at Rutter’s will be discouraged, employees will not be made to order drivers off the lot, the developers said.
When one supervisor said it would be better for truckers to use the Rutter’s lot as opposed to parking alongside the road, the developers agreed.
"That's part of the purpose of why we have so much truck parking, is we know there's an issue within the township of trucks parking where they shouldn't be," Rutter’s representative Brian Carter said.
"And we had the space to help alleviate that. So we're that's part of the reason why we have so much truck parking.”
Discussion on lighting showed the developer had made the lighting plan fit township ordinances, and provided additional light for a nearby bike trail.
Supervisor Jeffrey Young also addressed a voluntary traffic contribution for which the developer would be responsible.
“I think it comes out to $113,000, but I think our board needs to discuss whether we may ask for more, because this will be a higher percentage of trucks than normal, and won't just be all cars,” Young said.
The developers agreed the contribution could be discussed with township officials and addressed during the final plan approval.
The plan for the new Rutter’s includes a 13,467-square-foot convenience store with a six-pump, 12-fueling-station gas section and four diesel fueling stations.
There also will be 93 tractor-trailer parking spots and 143 parking spaces — including 45 spots for cars and five for handicapped parking.
A closer look at Rutter's
The Rutter family business started in 1747 in York, York County, where the family farm remains in operation. In 1921, George and Bud Rutter started the Rutter Bros. Dairy.
By 1968, the company had launched the first Rutter’s Farm Store, a name shortened to just Rutter’s in 2018.
Rutter’s now has 87 convenience stores spread throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, with plans to expand into Delaware and Virginia.
One of the biggest drivers of business for the operation is its rewards program, which offers per-gallon discounts on gas purchases via online registration and in-store purchases and specials.
