Proposed Rutter’s convenience store, gas station in Ferguson Township takes next step
A potential second Centre County Rutter’s took another step forward on Tuesday, with the Ferguson Township Planning Commission voting unanimously to conditionally approve a preliminary land development plan.
The new Rutters would be located at the corner of Blue Course Drive and West College Avenue, adjacent to Blaise Alexander Hyundai. The first Centre County Rutter’s was built in 2020 and 731 Rishel Hill Road in Benner Township, and plans for the second were announced in 2022.
The land development plan for the Ferguson Township location proposes a 13,470-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps, community planner Christina Bassett said during Monday’s meeting.
“There are 96 proposed parking spaces — four being ADA-compliant, 49 regular spaces, 27 spaces for RVs or trailers and 16 fuel dispenser spaces,” she said.
A beer cave, food kiosks, a dining area and various retail displays are planned for the inside of the store.
Access to the site will be via Old Block Road, along with two more points of access on Blue Course Drive.
Tony Fruchtl, PennTerra’s civil engineer overseeing the Rutter’s project, said that Old Block Road would be a shared, private road between Rutter’s, Blaise Alexander and the other businesses. Rutter’s would take the primary responsibility for maintenance and the clearing of snow on the road.
Old Block Road would also be West College Avenue’s main point of entrance to the gas station, however, no left turns will be permitted when exiting back onto the avenue via Old Block Road.
A stoplight and right turning lane would need to be installed along Blue Course drive as well.
The Rutter’s would not provide any high-speed diesel services, but will offer diesel pumps in general. The traffic study has been submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and the only permit remaining is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is required for construction sites over the size of one acre.
Now that the preliminary plan has been approved, Rutter’s and PennTerra can begin work on the creation and submission of a final development plan.
A spokesperson for Rutter’s did not immediately respond Tuesday.
