The three-member board in May heard the proposal of New York-based New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc. to replace and expand the supermarket's current 48,283 square feet to 81,144 square feet.

The proposed redevelopment would cost more than $10 million, according to New Plan's application to the township, and could include "improvements" to the shopping center entrance at Columbia Avenue if they are deemed necessary.

Lancaster Township director of planning and zoning Lynn Stauffer said the plan for the new state-of-the-art supermarket could include construction of sidewalks to the store from Columbia Avenue and Elm Avenue, the rear entrance to the shopping center.

If the plan is approved Tuesday, New Plan must submit a more thorough land-development plan to the township, which could include more details about pedestrian access to the center, Stauffer said. Zoning issues being addressed include New Plan's request for smaller-than-required setbacks from roadways and permission for fewer parking spots than are required by the township.

The plan would then go before the township planning commission and the township board of supervisors.

Slated to be demolished under the proposal are stores on the eastern side of the center, including natural foods store Rhubarb's Market, The Great Frame Up, Sunseekers tanning salon, a Chinese restaurant, Bank of Lancaster County and Subway restaurant. Taco Bell would not be affected, Stauffer said. According to the application, the bank would be relocated to the front of the plaza along Columbia Avenue.

Stauffer was not aware of New Plan's strategy for access to the site during construction, and said some of the affected businesses "may move on to something bigger and better" away from the plaza.

New Plan was silent this week about any agreements with current tenants to relocate to empty storefronts at the site or leave.

"All I can tell you is we're exploring a redevelopment plan for the shopping center," Stacy Slater, New Plan senior vice president for corporate communications, said Wednesday.

It appears some amenities of the new Giant may compete with existing businesses at the site.

According to the application, Giant's new supermarkets -- in general -- provide prepared foods, "e.g. Chinese food, sandwich shops, etc.," and a natural and organic food area.

Rhubarb's owner said Thursday he had no comment at this stage of the plan.

Melanie Scheid, owner of the center's Subway restaurant since 2004, said New Plan "broke the news" of the redevelopment plans two years ago, shortly after she bought the store. Subway would "definitely" stay in Stone Mill Plaza if the plan goes through and would be visible from the road -- a business plus, Scheid said -- from a new location on the west side of the center. More food choices at the site could bring more customers to her store -- as Subway statistics indicate -- Scheid said.

Scheid said a strong base of customers supports the store, but that she still would be concerned about business during the 9 to 12 months she heard Giant may be closed under redevelopment.

Andy McGinty, who with his wife, Kristie, owns The Great Frame Up, said a new Giant may attract customers who now defer to a Giant on Centerville Road. Half of his customers do not use the Giant in Stone Mill Plaza because they are dissatisfied with it, he said. The McGintys also plan to move their store to the west side of the center, between UPS and H&R Block, if the plan goes through, McGinty said.

He would like moving costs for current businesses at the site to be covered, he said.

McGinty also said he's been disappointed that the center has not been fully rented. "I hope it's better when all's said and done," he said.

Several businesses on the side of the center which would remain intact sent identical letters to the township in support of the plan, saying a new Giant would add to the success of their businesses.

A petition signed by 26 neighbors and residents was sent in support of the "multimillion-dollar reinvestment and redevelopment effort by Giant Food Stores."

The current Giant "quickly is becoming a dinosaur" due to limited size, products and services, New Plan wrote in its application to the zoning board. Giant no longer builds stores smaller than the size proposed for the site, according to the application.

The zoning board will vote on the plan at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township building at 1240 Maple Ave. No further testimony will be heard at the meeting, Stauffer said. blog comments powered by Disqus