The Abington Township Board of Commissioners may advertise a single-use plastics ordinance and a vape shop ordinance during their regular meeting on Thursday, February 13 at 7:00pm.
The ordinances were considered at the board’s January 9 meeting as well.
A notice published Thursday, January 16 reads:
AN ORDINANCE FOR “SINGLE-USE PLASTICS AND EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOAM PRODUCTS”
The proposed Ordinance has been drafted for the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Abington Township. The proposed Ordinance provides for a new Chapter, including relevant definitions, purpose, and findings. It prohibits commercial establishments, as defined, from providing single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene foam products, and includes additional information regarding compliant straws and stirrers, compliant bags, signage requirements, and exemptions. The proposed Ordinance also includes an Enforcement section, as well as severability, repealer, and effective date language.
Discussions regarding the ordinance have been taking place since October 2023. In January 2024, the township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) appeared before the board to answer questions. In September 2024, the EAC submitted a proposal to the board to ban plastic bags and polystyrene containers.
If Abington decides to move forward, it will join Upper Moreland Township (passed in July 2023), and Cheltenham Township, which passed their ban in April 2024.
The plastic bag ordinance can be found below:
Vape Shop Ordinance
A notice published on Thursday, January 16 reads:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON AT PART II [GENERAL LEGISLATION], CHAPTER 162 [ZONING], BY AMENDING ARTICLE XXI [USE REGULATIONS], SECTION 2103 [CATEGORIES OF PERMITTED USES], ARTICLE XXIII [PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION], SECTION 2304 [PARKING USE REQUIREMENTS], AND THE COMPREHENSIVE USE MATRIX APPENDIX TO ADD PROVISIONS FOR USE C-39, TOBACCO STORE, SMOKE SHOP AND VAPE SHOP
The proposed Ordinance has been drafted for the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Abington Township. It amends Chapter 162 (“Zoning”), Article XXI (“Use Regulations”), Section 2103 (“Categories of Permitted Uses”) and Chapter 162 (“Zoning”), Article XXIII (“Parking and Transportation”), Section 2304 (“Parking Use Requirements”) to add provisions for Use C-39 (“Tobacco Store, Smoke Shop and Vape Shop”). It also amends Comprehensive Use Matrix Appendix of Chapter 162 (“Zoning”) to add provisions for Use C-39 (“Tobacco Store, Smoke Shop and Vape Shop”). Finally, the proposed Ordinance includes repeal and ratification, severability, and effective date language.
Additional amendments may be made with respect to the proposed Ordinance prior to or during its final enactment. Advertisement related to the final enactment of the proposed Ordinance, in final form, including amendments, will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
The township is currently home to Eagle Tobacco & Convenience Shop (2401 Susquehanna Road), Abington Smoke Shop (1621 Old York Rd Suite 200), Easton Wireless & Smoke Shop (1165 Easton Road), BT Smoke Shop (1562 Easton Road), Abington Smoke Shop & Convenience (1342 Easton Road), Smokkey Tokkey Smoke Shop 2 (407 W Moreland Road), and the list continues.
The vape shop ordinance can be found below:
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