The Sheetz at 1023 Baltimore Boulevard (Route 140) — the original Route 140 Westminster location, distinct from the newly opened store at Sullivan Road — received city approval to install EV fast-charging stations on its property. The Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted unanimously in favor of the request during a May 5 meeting.
The BZA approved eight stalls in total, though only four will be installed immediately. The remaining four will be added later; the pads and striping for those future stalls are being put down now, so Sheetz won't need to return to the board for a second approval. The chargers will be located in the rear of the lot, behind the building, along the back right side of the property as you enter from Baltimore Boulevard.
The charging infrastructure is being installed through Francis Energy, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based electric vehicle charging company focused on ensuring no community is left behind, including rural areas, when it comes to fast EV charging.
Francis Energy already operates fast chargers at the Sheetz in Taneytown, and if the Westminster installation matches, drivers can expect DC fast chargers (CCS Combo), among the fastest public chargers available outside Tesla Superchargers. Those work with most non-Tesla EVs, including Ford, Chevy, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen. Tesla owners would likely need a CCS adapter for that charger type.
At the BZA hearing, a representative said the chargers would include universal adapters, though the exact charging standard for the Baltimore Boulevard location wasn't confirmed on the record.
The project required a special exception modification because the original Sheetz was approved as an automobile service station under a 2016 special exception (BZA Case 16-02). Under Westminster's zoning code, any expansion or intensification of an existing special exception use, including adding new types of service like EV charging, has to come back before the board. Staff noted the same rule would apply if Sheetz wanted to add additional gas pumps.
No public comments were submitted on the application. The board noted that western Carroll County has a relative shortage of EV charging stations and called the project a welcome addition. Staff recommended conditional approval, and the board approved it subject to three conditions: the applicant must obtain all necessary city and county building permits, meet all applicable zoning requirements, and install the stations in substantial conformance with the submitted plans.
Photo: Francis Energy fast EV chargers at the Sheetz in Taneytown, Maryland