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Butler Twp puts off vote on shopping complex

BUTLER TWP — Too many unanswered questions prompted the Butler Township Commissioners on Monday night to postpone voting on plans for a new shopping complex off New Castle Road.

California-based developer United Growth wants to build a Dick's Sporting Goods store, a Bob Evans restaurant and a building shared by Mattress Firm and a Starbucks Coffee shop on 5 acres near the road's intersection with the Route 422 cloverleaf.

Officials told the commissioners that the developer had not yet met all the requirements needed to gain approval, especially on how visitors will drive to and from the 61,000 square foot of retail space.

“As we see it, there's one issue,” said Zeden Jones, United Growth vice president. “And that's Hindman Road.”

As part of the plan as it was presented Monday, Hindman Road — a township-owned road that comes off New Castle at the Sheetz convenience store — would be widened to four lanes to include to two left-turn lanes to get into the development. The plan also would have a second access directly off New Castle.

In addition to needing a plan about the intersection, the developer needs agreements from the affected property owners, including two properties on the other side of New Castle Road: the state Department of Transportation and the U.S. Veteran's Administration. And specifically, the developer would need an agreement from officials with the adjacent property owner, Sheetz, because the store's parking and sign would be affected.

The officials said there are other areas that will be impacted that must be considered, including the township owned K & L Lane and the traffic relating to the Butler Commons Shopping Center.

“This plan is incomplete,” said township engineer Dan Deiseroth of United Growth's progress on the project since last month when the planning commission conditionally passed it.

The commissioners requested United Growth work on resolving these issues and return to the commissioners for the Jan. 19 meeting.

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