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An architectural rendering depicts the updated exterior for the store if it had been expanded.

By MADDY VITALE

Sea Isle City Planning Board gave preliminary approval for Wawa to renovate and expand its location at the corner of 38th Street and Landis Avenue.

The Wawa, in the heart of downtown, dates to the 1980s. When approved, construction will be underway to transform the antiquated look into a modern design.

Wawa Inc. appeared before the Planning Board on Tuesday to seek approval for a nearly 1,500 square foot expansion that will increase the store’s total size to nearly 4,500 square feet.

Genell Ferrilli, the planning board secretary, confirmed that the board gave preliminary approval, but said there are a number of conditions that need to be met before the board will give final approval. They include completing the final designs for the project.

The company, which submitted the application on Oct. 2, is seeking site plan approval for the project as well as a series of zoning variances. Specifically, Wawa needs variances for front yard setback, back yard setback, minimum building coverage and minimum lot frontage.

The Wawa sign overlooks Landis Avenue at the corner of 38th Street.

The Wawa store sits on property that totals just 11,000 square feet, according to the planning board application. In comparison, an acre of land is 43,560 square feet.

Wawa plans to add the expansion to the side of the store closest to 38th Street.