Smithfield Town Council Approves New Sheetz Location

SMITHFIELD — The Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 17 to approve a conditional rezoning request clearing the way for a new Sheetz convenience store and gas station along U.S. Highway 70 Business West (West Market Street) , adjacent to the Amazon warehouse.

The project, proposed by Real Zeal Property Group of Marietta, Georgia, involves approximately three acres at 2100 U.S. Highway 70 Business West. The site is owned by SST Properties of Greensboro. Developers plans to build a 6,139-square-foot convenience store featuring seven fuel pumps under a canopy, a restaurant with drive-through service, and roughly 40 parking spaces.

Developers confirmed during the meeting that the store will be a Sheetz — the second location for the popular convenience chain within Smithfield.

The rezoning changes the property designation from Light Industrial to B-3 Conditional, allowing the Sheetz store to move forward.

Planning board recommendation

The request previously received approval from the Smithfield Planning Board on Jan. 8. Planning staff noted at the time that while the town’s Comprehensive Plan identifies the area primarily for industrial and employment uses, the proposed convenience store could function as a supporting service for workers at the nearby Amazon facility.

Plans include a right-in, right-out driveway providing direct access to U.S. 70 Business West, secondary access to a future industrial road, sidewalk installation along the highway frontage, stormwater management features, and drive-through stacking lanes.

No deviations from the town’s Unified Development Ordinance were requested as part of the conditional rezoning.

Council discussion

While approving the request unanimously, council members encouraged the developer to discourage semi-truck parking at the site. Officials expressed concern that large trucks traveling to and from the nearby Amazon warehouse could create congestion or safety issues if the location becomes a frequent stop for tractor-trailers.

However, council members stopped short of including a formal restriction against truck parking as part of the rezoning conditions.

A construction start date was not announced during the meeting, though developers indicated work is expected to begin soon following final approvals and site plan review.

Sheetz has an existing store located at 1700 E. Market Street at Interstate 95 in Smithfield.