SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. -- It's an issue that has torn the town of Windber in half. Some think a new Sheetz store on Graham Avenue wouldn't hurt anything. Others are ready to fight to keep the community as is.

Sheetz officials gave a short presentation at Tuesday's meeting, asking council to allow the consolidation of several different lots at the intersection of 15th and Graham Avenue.

It didn't take long for council to shoot down the request. They voted against it, 5-2. Several local residents cheered in the crowd. Many said out loud that Sheetz would destroy the historic look of the community and be a safety hazard with the added traffic.

"Every decision that's made at this table is for the welfare and safety of this community," said council member James Furmanchik. "If you (Sheetz) go ahead with construction, you are going to put this community at great risk."

Sheetz officials then fired back, wanting to know what legal ground the council had for the decision. The borough's solicitor spoke up and admitted that Sheetz has met all zoning ordinances and that legally they have no choice but to approve the request.

The council then went into executive session. It's not known at this point if they decision was changed.