The site of the shuttered Arnold Palmer Motors dealership along Route 30 in Unity soon may be active again.
Township officials are considering a plan by Giant Eagle to move its GetGo convenience store and gas station from Mountain Laurel Plaza, just to the west along the highway’s eastbound lanes, to an expanded site at the closed dealership at Giffin Drive.
Supervisors will consider Giant Eagle’s proposal for the property at a conditional use hearing, set for 4 p.m. June 25.
“A convenience store with gasoline fueling islands is a conditional use in that zoning district,” said township solicitor Gary Falatovich.
Giant Eagle declined to discuss details of its proposed store relocation. Spokesman Dick Roberts said the company is “working closely with Unity Township officials through the approval process” and is “actively exploring opportunities to expand the GetGo Cafe + Market experience in Westmoreland County, where our other locations have been well-received by customers.”
The supermaket chain has 12 GetGo stores in the county. The relocated Unity store would offer made-to-order food as well as other convenience offerings, Roberts said.
Township officials “don’t know enough about it to know if we have concerns,” Falatovich said of the GetGo proposal.
If supervisors approve the conditional use for the new store location, Giant Eagle then must submit a detailed site plan to the township planning commission. The commission has recommended approval of the conditional use.
Arnold Palmer Motors, opened in 1981 by the late golfing legend and Latrobe native, closed at the end of 2017. The business was hurt by competition from other dealerships and by General Motors’ decision to phase out some of the vehicle brands it offered.
