Pennsylvania Rutter’s moves forward with building after controversy

HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WTAJ) — After months of controversy, a new Rutter’s location in Huntingdon County has gotten the green light to build a new store and sell alcohol there.

A liquor license has been granted for a new location in Smithfield Township. It’s going up along the Route 22 and Route 26 Interchange, right beside the Old Crow Wildlife Conservation Area.

A group of community members formed a coalition to fight the development. In the end, Rutter’s reached an agreement with the coalition, changing initial building plans. They will now landscape around the property with some trees and bushes more native to the wetland area, including Northern White Cedars, Eastern White Pines and White Spruces. Rutter’s will also build a 6-foot-high vinyl privacy fence on the retaining wall near the wetland.

Those with the township said that despite the controversy, both sides were able to meet in the middle.

“Everybody has been very cordial with one another, even though, you know, one side’s a little bit more not as happy, but I feel like they were very, very professional. They spoke their mind and they did it in a very nice way,” said Lauren Morningstar, Secretary Treasurer of Smithfield Township.

There has not been a date announced yet for construction to begin, but Township Supervisors said it’s at least a couple of years before Rutter’s will open as the land around the store has to be developed to include new roads and traffic signals.