Gas station will be able to sell alcohol feet away from high school

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A gas station will be able to sell alcohol just feet away from a Butler County high school.

The Liquor Control Board decided on the move over objections from the Freeport Area School District.

The Sheetz in Buffalo Township is next to the school, the stadium and practice fields.

But Wednesday, the state approved the liquor license anyway.

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"The kids have enough common sense these days," cross country coach Joe Zboran said. "I can't speak for all of them, but I'm pretty sure everybody on our cross country team wouldn't go over there and do anything."

The district argued the convenience store is too close to the high school to sell alcohol.

The Liquor Control Board has rules involving schools and churches less than 300 feet away, but the board unanimously voted to approve the request.

A Sheetz spokesman told Channel 11: "We are pleased that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approved this liquor license transfer. At Sheetz, we are highly committed to being a good neighbor in the communities where all of our stores are located."

"I don't think it's going to have much of an impact," parent Matt Welteroth said. "It's going to be wherever they go anyhow I think."

The school board president told Channel 11 they didnt want to comment until they get the paperwork. The school has the option of appealing within 20 days.

Convenience stores were only recently allowed to apply for liquor licenses.

Before last year, only distributors were allowed to sell beer by the case, and a bottle shop or bar could sell a six pack. Liquor stores were the only retail locations allowed to sell hard liquor.

But in 2016, Pennsylvania passed two laws affecting liquor sales.

One of those laws allows gas stations to set up special areas where beer could also be sold.

Cox Media Group