U.S.A. gas wants to triple the size of mini-mart on Route 70 in Cherry Hill. Enough parking available?

This has been moved to the July 5 meeting. 

Adequate parking is an issue with a plan to triple the size of the U.S.A. gasoline mini-mart on Route 70 across from Garden State Park in Cherry Hill, according to Township records.

Racetrack Gas LLC's application to build on the half-acre lot is scheduled to be heard by the Township Planning Board on Tuesday (June 21) at a 7:30 p.m. meeting (the caucus begins at 7). The U.S.A. filling station would remain the same, according to the application.

The owner, based on Surrey Court in Mount Laurel, would demolish the existing 438-square-foot mini-mart and construct a 1,342-square-foot mart on the 2131 Route 70 property next to the Mercedes-Benz of Cherry Hill dealership.

"Our office has concerns that parked vehicles will block the ability to circulate around the site during peak times, thus requiring vehicles to queue on Route 70, which is dangerous," Planning Board engineer Stacey Arcari, of Environmental Resolutions Inc. of Mount Laurel, said in her June 14 letter reviewing the proposal.

A review letter from the Township's Community Development Office states that the project requires a minimum of 12 parking spots and 11 are proposed. The site now has six spots. 

Arcari also stated in her letter that the applicant expects many mini-mart customers would leave their vehicles at the gasoline pumps while getting gas and patronize the convenience store.

The lot was first developed in 1985, according to the Township documents.

Besides the parking variance, the owner also seeks permission for a rear-yard setback of five feet, when 20 feet are required. The site now has a 20-foot setback.