Sunday, November 2, 2008

"Adult Uses"?!

Hi, Folks--

Do you know what else is permitted for conditional use in our township? In the Official Zoning Ordinance of West Pennsboro Township (enacted January 16, 2008) adult use businesses are permitted under section 401, pages 143-144. Here are some "conditions" for granting conditional use:

401.7--Any building or structure used and occupied as an adult use shall be windowless, or have an opaque covering covering over all windows or doors of any area in which materials, merchandise, or film are exhibited or displayed, and no sale materials, merchandise, or film shall be visible from outside of the building or structure;

401.9--Each entrance to the premise shall be posted with a notice specifying that persons under the age of seventeen (17) years are not permitted to enter therein and warning all others that they may be offended upon entry;

401.11--The use shall not create an enticement for minors because of its proximity to nearby uses where minors might congregate;

401.12--No unlawful sexual activity or conduct shall be permitted.

Wow!! As many of you know, Alexander Spring Village is also seeking conditional use under a different zoning. Many suggest that if Barry Lyons, Craig Bachik and Steve Kretzing meet the conditions, they can begin the process of putting 330 townhouses on McAllister Church Rd. What if another developer met all the conditions for "adult use"? Would the township go along with it too?!

Once again, remember who on the Planning Commission voted not to table (delay) conditional use for Alexander Spring Village: Kemp Beatty and Allen McEllwain. We wonder if they would vote "no" to table a conditional use for an adult use business??? We really hope they wouldn't vote "yes" just because it's in the Zoning Ordinance.

Does anybody else find conditional use zoning outrageous? We like to live out here away from stuff like this. Is West Pennsboro Township going to turn into the Bourbon Street of Central PA?

Adding to the outrage is:

Section 404 page 145 of the ordinance even permits "Horse Racing Facilities with Related Wagering".

Section 435 page 181 is for "Nightclubs".

Section 439 page 182 is for "Off-Track Betting Parlors and/or Slot Machine Parlors".

In fact, there seems to be more conditions placed on churches than for adult use businesses! This is astonishing....

Pass the word and check out the Official Zoning Ordinance of West Pennsboro Township for yourself here: http://www.rothplan.net/documents/OfficialZoningOrdinance.pdf

4 comments:

Route 641 Neighbor said...

I downloaded a copy of the ordinance. It looks like the only location of an adult use under conditional use is in the Industrial Zone. I know any adult store is a concern anywhere, but I am more concerned with the development on the Shover property.

How are they going to get utilities to the site without going through the flood overlay zone? How are they going to provide a secondary emergency entrance that is not through the same zone? Why are they not required to submit a special exception for this work?

390+ rental untis in the township changes the community much more than 330+ owned townhomes.

If you fight the battle against one developer you must fight it against all for the conditional use applications.

Red Barn Neighbor said...

Part of 641 and 11 are Industrial Zones! That's not too far away. But, yes, we need to re-look at the zoning in this township.

Route 641 Neighbor said...

I found the web site for the engineer on the McAllister Church road project. It is www.kairosdesigngroup.net.

Red Barn Neighbor said...

Excellent! Thanks route641neighbor!