Speedway in Oakmont?

well, there was quite a big turnout at Oakmont Council's Public Meeting last night regarding the potential new Speedway in Oakmont.

I have to say, some of the "questions" posed were a bit odd, but it was apparent that a lot of citizens of Oakmont were concerned about the plan.  I would say from the comments that the basis for many of the concerns was fear of the impact of the new bridge, and not too much about Speedway itself.

I was a little disturbed by the level of misunderstanding of the realities of the situation.  For example, the owner of the adjacent gas station asked Council what they were going to do about his loss of business due to the new Sheetz, and his opinion that his business would suffer more with the new Speedway.  Is that really a question for Council.  Many others commented about the need to improve the Woodland Ave and Allegheny Ave north of Hulton Road.  I think that is a legitimate question for Council, but is certainly not Speedway's responsibility.  In fact, Speedway is improving Woodland at third street to improve storm drainage and widening the intersection so their trucks can make the turn.  And, they are resurfacing Woodland over the length of their property...
As I said, there seemed to be a lot of fear expressed, but most of it appeared to just be fear of all the changes to the neighborhood due to the bridge.  Speedway is going to dramatically improve the vacant lot they are taking, and no one really presented anything that should stop them from doing just that.