GetGo station proposed for Upper Yoder Twp. site

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March 14, 2010

By MIKE FAHER The Tribune-Democrat Sun Mar 14, 2010, 10:57 PM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — Residents in Johnstown’s West Hills suburbs soon may be able to “GetGo” a little closer to home.

Giant Eagle Inc. is proposing to build one of its popular GetGo gas stations at the grocery chain’s location in Upper Yoder Township. But the project is dependent on township zoning officials granting a special exception and a variance at the 344 Goucher St. site.

Without that permission, “the GetGo fuel station would not be able to be constructed, as this is the only viable option for a fuel station that Giant Eagle Inc. would propose within the shopping center,” company administrators wrote in documents submitted to the township.

A GetGo is a simple convenience store/self-service gas station setup.

But in an era of fluctuating gasoline prices, the stores have attracted a crowd because Giant Eagle offers fuel discounts

– called “Fuelperks” – based on the amount customers spend at the grocery store.

Locally, there are GetGo stores in Richland, Somerset, Indiana and Ligonier.

And developers now say they would like to construct a new GetGo in the parking lot outside the Goucher Street Giant Eagle.

In addition to the 42,683-square-foot grocery store and an attached bank, the site also hosts two other, smaller office/retail buildings.

The GetGo would be built near Warren Street adjacent to Berkley Hills Professional Building, in an area “which is mainly used for Giant Eagle employee parking and underutilized as a whole,” officials said.

An administrator at the Pittsburgh-based company said

that, because the project is pending, “it is too early to discuss any details” regarding construction.

“We are excited for the potential opportunity to deliver a convenient fuelperks redemption location to area customers,” Giant Eagle spokesman Daniel Donovan said.

A zoning hearing on the matter has been scheduled for 7 p.m. March 30 at the township building, 302 Elim St.

That’s because officials say all development within that area requires a special exception before construction. Also, the proposed gas station’s canopy would encroach 8 feet into a required 75-foot setback from the property line.

At a February meeting of Upper Yoder’s planning commission, officials and a developer also discussed matters including parking and traffic impacts.

However, an engineering document sent to the township contends that, if a GetGo is built, “the percent increase over the existing site traffic is minimal.”

Giant Eagle administrators also wrote that a GetGo station “will not substantially or permanently impair the use or development of adjacent properties.”

But they expect that the gas station would “complement and help ensure the long-term viability of the existing Giant Eagle grocery store.”

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