A second Aldi grocery store could be coming to Centre County. Here’s what to know
A new grocery store could be in the works for College Township, filling a gap left by the closure of Giant’s East College Avenue branch.
Eyeing the former Krentzman Supply site on the Benner Pike, Aldi representative Rory Garr presented preliminary plans for a 19,209-square-foot store to the township council Thursday. But the township’s Corridor Overlay District makes development “nearly impossible,” he said.
The district — which runs along the Benner Pike — was created in the 1990s, and requires a 70-foot yard setback from the right of way. The former supply site was constructed before the overlay was created and has a 30-foot setback, Garr said.
The township is considering removing the overlay district, meaning that developers would need to adhere to commercial zoning policies, which require a 50-foot setback. Under those guidelines, Garr said the company will be able to construct the store.
Councilman Eric Bernier was a member of the planning commission that helped design the overlay district and said development has changed since the plan was put in place. Initially, the district aimed to avoid strip development and curb cuts like in Altoona, he said.
“We didn’t have a vision in mind so much as we knew what we didn’t want which was all the curb cuts,” Bernier said, adding that the township could alter the district while maintaining some original restrictions. “Since then, planning thinking has been to orient the building actually closer to the road, put the parking in the back and make things more pedestrian accessible, which this would do.”
If the plan moves forward, access to the store will be accessible from the Benner Pike and Shiloh Road. Garr said Mason Asset Management, owner of the Nittany Mall, has agreed to coordinate access from the mall driveway. The preliminary plans include 94 parking spaces at the front of the building.
Councilman Paul Takac anticipates Aldi will be a “very welcome addition” to College Township, and Township Manager Adam Brumbaugh said he thinks removing the overlay district will make development easier and more attractive for future projects.
After unanimous agreement, council directed staff to work on removing the overlay district and its restrictions. Once complete, the township planning commission will review the new plan and refer the changes to council for approval.
This could be the second Aldi slated for Centre County after the Patton Township board of supervisors approved the construction of a store to be located at the Patton Crossing development project.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 1:54 PM.
